Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. plans to reopen its embassy in Venezuela “very quickly” and establish a diplomatic presence there.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting, he mentioned that teams are currently on the ground assessing the situation and that they expect to open a diplomatic office soon. The intention is not only to engage with local officials but also with “civil society and opposition groups.”
This move would mark a restoration of diplomatic relations, which the U.S. severed in 2019 when it closed its embassy in Venezuela.
Recently, the Trump administration has been in discussions with Delcy Rodriguez, a former vice president under President Nicolás Maduro, whom U.S. officials refer to as the interim leader, especially following the arrest of the controversial Venezuelan dictator.
Rubio highlighted that reopening the embassy necessitates recognizing a governing authority in Caracas that can accommodate diplomats. This signifies a significant shift from the U.S.’s previous reluctance to engage with the Venezuelan government. He indicated that the current leadership is “very cooperative on this front,” although he acknowledged that there have been some difficult conversations.
While emphasizing that further military action is not part of their immediate plans, Rubio did note that the use of force remains a possible option. “The president hasn’t ruled out any options to protect American interests,” he stated, reiterating that there are currently no plans for military action in Venezuela.
Rubio provided insights on the first $500 million from a U.S.-brokered Venezuelan oil sale, explaining that $300 million was allocated back to Venezuela for public services, while $200 million is held in a U.S.-operated account.
He couldn’t specify how long Rodriguez would remain in power but expressed that U.S. diplomatic presence should help monitor the new administration. “I can’t give you a timeline. It’s not going to take forever,” he remarked, adding that only a few weeks have passed since these developments began.
His comments come as Venezuela’s interim leadership sends mixed signals, with Rodriguez recently expressing a defiant stance. In a televised speech to oil workers, she claimed that American influence in Venezuelan politics is “sufficient.” This seemed directed at a domestic audience, despite the fact that Venezuela grapples with U.S. sanctions and relies heavily on U.S. decisions regarding oil licensing and revenue regulations.
Rubio stated that the U.S. aims to steer Venezuela toward a democratic transition, describing the Maduro government as a center for numerous global adversaries. He expressed hopes for “a friendly, stable, and prosperous Venezuela with democracy and fair elections,” while acknowledging that achieving this will take time.
When questioned regarding concerns over corruption, Rubio assured that audit mechanisms are being put in place. “The audit will continue,” he stated, emphasizing that expenditures will be limited to authorized public needs.
