U.S. Aims for Democratic Transition in Venezuela, Says Secretary of State

In a recent appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering a democratic transition in Venezuela. He outlined potential strategies, including the possibility of using force to stabilize the South American nation.

Rubio’s Vision for Venezuela

Addressing the committee for the first time since the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Rubio stated, “We seek a transition to a friendly, stable, prosperous, and democratic state where all sectors of society are represented in free and fair elections.” He acknowledged the complexity of this process, asserting, “This won’t be achieved in three weeks. It will take time.” The primary goal remains ensuring stability throughout the country.

Preparedness for Action

Rubio made it clear that the U.S. is ready to take decisive action. “Make no mistake: as the President has declared, we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail,” he noted in a statement prior to his testimony.

A Warning to Venezuelan Authorities

In his statements, Rubio also directed a warning toward Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela. He suggested that she is well aware of Maduro’s fate and that “her interests align with the advancement of our key objectives.”

Strategic Use of Sanctions

Rubio highlighted the importance of sanctions on Venezuelan oil as a strategic tool to achieve U.S. goals. “We can sell it at market prices, not the discounted price that China was receiving,” he explained. He further detailed that revenues from confiscated Venezuelan oil would be held in an account supervised by U.S. authorities and directed toward benefiting the Venezuelan people.

Promising Cooperation from Venezuelan Authorities

According to Rubio, Venezuelan authorities have shown willingness to cooperate with this plan, committing to use a significant portion of the proceeds for medicines and equipment sourced from the U.S.

Stay Informed

To stay updated on similar developments, consider subscribing to our new newsletter for a weekly selection of our best content. Don’t forget to enable notifications in our app for timely updates!

Conclusion

Marco Rubio’s recent comments underscore a U.S. commitment to promoting democracy and stability in Venezuela. The potential for force, coordination with Venezuelan authorities, and strategic sanctions are all part of the broader strategy aimed at achieving these goals.

• The U.S. seeks a democratic transition in Venezuela.
• Marco Rubio emphasizes the potential use of force for stability.
• Sanctions on Venezuelan oil are a key strategy.
• Cooperation from Venezuelan authorities is anticipated in resource allocation.