At a Glance
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington will not govern Venezuela, only enforce sanctions.
- President Donald Trump earlier vowed to run the country after Nicolás Maduro’s removal.
- Maduro and wife Cilia Flores were captured and flown to Manhattan, facing narco-terrorism charges.
- Why it matters: The shift signals a new US approach to Venezuela and underscores the ongoing enforcement of sanctions amid a high-profile capture.
On Sunday, Marco Rubio clarified that the United States will not assume day-to-day control of Venezuela, a stark contrast to President Donald Trump‘s earlier pledge to run the nation. Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized in a U.S. operation and flown to Manhattan for federal court proceedings, highlighting the escalating legal and diplomatic tensions.
US Policy Shift on Venezuela
Rubio said the U.S. will continue to enforce the existing oil quarantine but will not take a governing role.
> Marco Rubio stated:
> “We continue with that quarantine, and we expect to see that there will be changes, not just in the way the oil industry is run for the benefit of the people, but also so that they stop the drug trafficking.”
He added that the blockade on sanctioned oil tankers remains in place, providing leverage until policy changes benefit Venezuelans.
> Marco Rubio added:
> “remains in place, and that’s a tremendous amount of leverage that will continue to be in place until we see changes that not just further the national interest of the United States, which is number one, but also that lead to a better future for the people of Venezuela.”
- The oil quarantine is already in place and will continue.
- The U.S. seeks changes that further national interest and improve Venezuela’s future.
- Focus is on stopping drug trafficking.
Trump’s Earlier Vow
Trump had repeatedly declared that the U.S. would run Venezuela until a safe transition could be achieved.
> Donald Trump announced:
> “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
He cited his national security team, including Pete Hegseth, to carry out the operation. The White House declined to comment beyond Trump’s statement.
Maduro’s Capture and Flight
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were extracted from Caracas and flown by helicopter to Manhattan, where a convoy of law-enforcement vehicles awaited.
> Marco Rubio remarked:
> “The whole foreign policy apparatus thinks everything is Libya, everything is Iraq, everything is Afghanistan.”
A White House video showed Maduro smiling as DEA agents escorted him to an office. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday.
- Maduro captured during a U.S. operation described as “imperialist” by his government.
- He faces U.S. charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy.
- The operation was the most assertive U.S. action for regime change since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Quiet in Caracas
Caracas remained unusually quiet on Sunday, with few vehicles, closed stores, and a guarded presidential palace.
> Marco Rubio added:
> “We’re going to judge everything by what they do, and we’re going to see what they do.”
Residents like David Leal noted a sharp drop in business activity. The city’s usual Sunday runners and cyclists were absent.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. will not govern Venezuela but will maintain oil sanctions.
- President Trump’s earlier promise to run the country contrasts with Rubio’s stance.
- Maduro’s capture and flight to Manhattan highlight the U.S. enforcement strategy.
The contrasting messages from Rubio and Trump, coupled with Maduro’s seizure, illustrate the United States’ evolving strategy toward Venezuela, balancing enforcement with a limited governance role.
