During heated hearing, Rubio insists US action in Venezuela will lead to prosperity and security

January 28, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's controversial military operation in Venezuela during a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, characterizing the forcible removal of Nicolás Maduro as a law enforcement action rather than an act of war. The operation, which extracted Maduro from Venezuela to face drug trafficking charges in New York, has sparked debate about constitutional war powers and the 1973 War Powers Act. Under the administration's plan, the United States will maintain complete control over Venezuela's oil revenues through Treasury-managed accounts, with funds to be spent exclusively on American goods rather than servicing debts to Russia or China.

Who is affected

Nicolás Maduro (removed from power and imprisoned in the US)
Venezuelan citizens and government
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez
Members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee (including Tim Kaine and Rand Paul)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
US Delta Force troops who conducted the operation
Cuban government and citizens (due to Venezuela's oil lifeline)
Venezuelan armed forces and government officials
US energy companies seeking investment in Venezuela
Russia and China (losing economic ties with Venezuela)

What action is being taken

Maduro is being held in a US jail facing drug trafficking charges in New York
Venezuela is being led by Interim President Delcy Rodriguez
Venezuelan oil revenues are being held in an offshore account in Qatar with plans to transfer them to a US Treasury blocked account
The US government is maintaining full control over Venezuela's oil industry
A hydrocarbons law is being redrafted to allow greater private investment from US energy companies
Rodriguez is pledging to end Venezuela's oil lifeline to Cuba

Why it matters

This represents an unprecedented level of US intervention in a sovereign nation's affairs, raising fundamental questions about constitutional war powers and international law. The operation sets a precedent for military action against foreign leaders under the justification of law enforcement, potentially emboldening similar actions elsewhere. Control over Venezuela's oil wealth gives the United States significant leverage over the country's political and economic future, while simultaneously threatening to destabilize Cuba by cutting off its vital oil supply. The situation could reshape geopolitical dynamics throughout Latin America and redefine the limits of executive power in authorizing military operations without congressional approval.

What's next

Funds from Venezuelan oil sales will eventually be transferred from Qatar to a US Treasury blocked account
The Venezuelan government will need to request use of funds for narrowly defined needs, with Washington deciding on releases
Venezuelan oil profits are expected to be spent on US-made goods
The ultimate goal is to transfer control of oil resources back to Venezuela under a stable democratic government
Rodriguez is expected to continue ending Venezuela's oil lifeline to Cuba
Rubio indicated success will be measured in four to six months to determine if conditions have improved

Read full article from source: BBC