By Amr Gohar
Washington, D.C. – Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that U.S. policy toward Venezuela is now focused on stability, recovery, and a democratic transition following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, warning that the country had become a major security threat inside the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking before lawmakers, Rubio said Venezuela had operated as a hub for U.S. adversaries including Iran, Russia, and China, while also serving as a base for narcotrafficking networks linked to armed groups such as the FARC and ELN. He described the situation as “untenable” for the United States and regional partners.
Rubio said the immediate U.S. priority was preventing chaos after Maduro’s removal, including civil conflict and mass migration. He noted that stability has been maintained through direct engagement with authorities now controlling state institutions and through limited sanctions relief tied to strict oversight.
As part of that approach, Rubio explained that the United States is allowing sanctioned Venezuelan oil to reach markets at full prices, with proceeds placed in monitored accounts to fund basic services for the Venezuelan people, including salaries, sanitation, and medical supplies. He added that Venezuela is now purchasing critical oil diluents from the United States rather than Russia.
Looking ahead, Rubio said the next phase focuses on economic recovery and reform, pointing to a newly passed hydrocarbon law that eases restrictions on private investment and begins dismantling corruption-era controls. He also cited the gradual release of political prisoners and early steps toward restoring political participation.
Rubio cautioned that a full transition to a stable, democratic Venezuela would take time but said the United States is “farther along than expected,” arguing that conditions are already better than they were just weeks ago and are likely to continue improving in the months ahead.
Original article
Comments