Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Rubio Defends Maduro Capture as Strategic
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is talking to a group of senators about why the US took Venezuela's former President, Nicolas Maduro, to the US.
He says it was a smart move to keep the US safe and that it wasn't a war.
Some senators, like Jeanne Shaheen, think the US is spending too much money on this instead of helping people at home.
Others, like Rand Paul, think the US might be doing too much.
Rubio says the US wants to help Venezuela become stable and prosperous, and they have made a deal about oil.
The US will let Venezuela sell some oil, but the money will go into an account that the US will watch over.
This is all causing a lot of debate and disagreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a strategic move, not an act of war.
Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, outlining Washington's rationale for the operation and future objectives in Venezuela.
Democrats criticize the high costs of the operation, while Republicans support the actions as necessary to protect US interests.
Rubio details plans for Venezuela's oil sector, including an agreement to sell sanctioned oil with funds deposited in a US-overseen account.
Rubio welcomes a law passed by Venezuela's legislature to open the oil sector to greater international access, pushing for expanded opportunities for US companies.
- Who
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Venezuelan interim leadership, President Donald Trump, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Rand Paul, former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
- What
- Hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, defense of Trump's actions in Venezuela, criticism from Democrats, support from Republicans, negotiations with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez, meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
- When
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee, State Department, Venezuela
- Why
- To ensure cooperation from Venezuelan interim leadership, defend Trump's actions, criticize or support the actions based on political views, negotiate with Venezuelan acting President, meet with opposition leader
- Date of Hearing
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Location of Hearing
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- US Justification for Actions
- Strategic necessity, protection of US interests, prevention of civil war
- Democratic Criticism
- High costs, focus on Venezuela over domestic issues
- Republican Support
- Legitimate exercise of presidential power, protection of US interests
- US Demands on Venezuela
- Opening energy sector to US companies, ending subsidized oil exports to Cuba
- US-Venezuela Oil Agreement
- Sanctioned oil sales with funds deposited in an account overseen by the US
- Estimated Cost of Operation
- 1 billion (cited by Senator Jeanne Shaheen)
Sources
Trampling the Charter
Rubio to face former US Senate colleagues on Venezuela policy
Marco Rubio Warns Venezuela Of New Military Action If Expectations Not Met
Rubio faces former US Senate colleagues on Trump’s Venezuela policy
Marco Rubio says ‘we are prepared to use force’ if Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez fails to cooperate
'You couldn’t make a deal with this guy', says Marco Rubio at Senate hearing on Nicolas Maduro’s capture
Rubio touts progress with Venezuela’s new leaders in Senate hearing