Rubio Voices Cooperation with Venezuela, but Warns of Force

Secretary of State Marco Rubio expects to reopen the US embassy in Caracas soon, but says the US is prepared to use military action if needed.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for cooperation with Venezuela's interim government after the US-backed toppling of Nicolas Maduro, but warned that the US is prepared to use force if the new leadership is defiant. Rubio said the US plans to reopen its embassy in Caracas soon to improve interaction with Venezuelan authorities and civil society. However, Rubio's prepared testimony stated that acting President Delcy Rodriguez 'is well aware of the fate of Maduro', and that 'we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail'.

Why it matters

The US-backed operation to depose Maduro has been controversial, with critics arguing it has simply replaced one dictator with another. The US is seeking to exert influence over Venezuela's vast oil reserves, but faces resistance from the interim government. Rubio's mixed messaging of cooperation and force highlights the delicate balance the US is trying to strike in its Venezuela policy.

The details

Rubio told a Senate hearing that the US is not postured or expecting to take military action in Venezuela, and the only military presence will be Marine guards at the US embassy. However, his prepared testimony stated the US is 'prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail'. The US has named a senior diplomat, Laura Dogu, as the top US envoy to Venezuela, and plans to reopen the US embassy in Caracas to improve interaction with Venezuelan authorities and civil society.

  • On January 3, US commandos raided Caracas and seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were flown to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges.
  • Last week, the State Department named Laura Dogu as the top US diplomat for Venezuela.

The players

Marco Rubio

The US Secretary of State, a Cuban-American and fervent critic of Latin American leftists who has championed Venezuela's opposition forces.

Delcy Rodriguez

The former Vice President of Venezuela who is now the acting President after the US-backed toppling of Nicolas Maduro.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has demanded that Venezuela cooperate with US oil companies.

Maria Corina Machado

The leader of Venezuela's democratic opposition who was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Laura Dogu

A senior US diplomat named as the top US envoy to Venezuela.

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What they’re saying

“Make no mistake, as the president has stated, we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (Breitbart)

“I can tell you right now with full certainty we are not postured to, nor do we intend or expect to, have to take any military action in Venezuela.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State (Breitbart)

“Her cooperation appears tactical and temporary, and not a real shift in Venezuela's alignment. In the process, we've traded one dictator for another.”

— Jeanne Shaheen, Top Democrat on Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Breitbart)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores out on bail.

The takeaway

Rubio's mixed messaging of cooperation and force highlights the delicate balance the US is trying to strike in its Venezuela policy, as it seeks to exert influence over the country's oil reserves while facing resistance from the interim government installed after the US-backed toppling of Maduro.