The United States continues to articulate its vision for a post-Nicolás Maduro Venezuela, intensifying political pressure and raising concerns about potential military intervention. Senator Marco Rubio, speaking to US media on Sunday, asserted that the Trump administration is actively pursuing a “democratic transition” within the nation, emphasizing the involvement of the “entire national security structure” in shaping policy.
Rubio cautioned against expectations of a rapid return to democratic normalcy, highlighting the entrenched nature of the Chavista system, which he characterized as having been established over “15 or 16 years”. This subtly implies a long and complex process and potentially protracted US involvement, in reshaping Venezuelan governance.
Perhaps most significantly, Rubio stopped short of ruling out the possibility of deploying US troops to Venezuela, a development that would dramatically escalate the situation. He indicated that President Trump intends to maintain the option of military presence, signalling a willingness to exert direct influence, despite criticisms of potential violations of Venezuelan sovereignty.
Responding to allegations that the recent events were orchestrated to benefit US oil companies by facilitating access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, Rubio dismissed the claims while acknowledging the dire state of the Venezuelan petroleum industry. He stated that the sector desperately requires investment from private entities, implicitly suggesting this as a future benefit of a US-influenced transition.
The US stance remains contingent on the actions of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, with Rubio stating the Biden Administration will evaluate her performance based on her future conduct. This conditional acceptance underscores the precariousness of the situation and the potential for further escalation if Rodríguez’s actions are deemed unsatisfactory by US authorities.
Adding to the complexity, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has publicly recognized Rodríguez as interim leader while simultaneously demanding the immediate return of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. He condemned the events as an act of aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty, a perspective that underscores the deep divisions and potential for instability within the country itself. The ensuing power dynamics, coupled with the overt US involvement, present a volatile and unpredictable political landscape with significant implications for regional stability.
