It’s reassuring to hear Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasize that Team Trump aims for a quick and fair election in Venezuela, rather than a deal to maintain the Chavista leadership.
On Saturday, President Trump’s remarks sparked worries about a “pragmatic” approach, suggesting that a regime responsible for widespread poverty might try to hold onto power with unfulfilled promises to end ties with oil, Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and China.
Rubio, during his media appearances on Sunday, was clear that Washington does not accept the long-term presence of acting president Delcy Rodriguez. He stated on ABC’s “This Week,” “We do not believe this government is electively legitimate.”
He also reminded those, like Mayor Mamdani, arguing about how Operation Absolute Resolve may have breached Venezuela’s sovereignty, that “60 countries around the world” recognize that President Nicolas Maduro and his government essentially stole the last election.
However, Maduro is just the face of the corruption. Other key individuals, such as Rodriguez, her brother, who oversees a puppet parliament, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrin—facing drug charges in the U.S.—share blame for Venezuela’s crisis, along with Cuba’s secret police that bolstered Maduro’s regime.
Cuba remains a threat to American interests, though the U.S. military’s capability to reassert control over Maduro’s regime provides a counterbalance, a sort of deterrent for those looking to maintain the status quo.
In that context, Trump reiterated his warning to Rodriguez on Sunday, indicating that if she doesn’t act correctly, the repercussions could be severe, potentially more so than those faced by Maduro.
He certainly has high expectations from her. He also mentioned to the Post’s Caitlin Doornbos that Venezuela needs to be governed “with law and order,” noting that the situation there is dire, describing it as a “third world country ready to collapse.”
This backdrop is important for understanding Trump’s earlier criticism of opposition leader Maria Colina Machado. He noted her lack of domestic support and respect. Yet, he later told the Post that as long as he backs her, she has a chance to “win the election,” adding, “I really like her.”
Essentially, both Trump and Rubio agree that a genuine resolution requires free and fair elections to form a legitimate government, but such elections can’t happen until there’s a restoration of order.
It might also involve enticing Rodriguez and others with a deal—a sort of incentive that Maduro himself rejected, serving as a cautionary tale.
Still, there is an urgent necessity for a calm and smooth transition. The current leadership can’t be trusted unless backed by force.
Venezuela must rebuild its energy sector and economy, yet true progress will be hard to achieve without strong, popular leadership.
