Marco Rubio significantly modified his planned testimony regarding potential additional military operations in Venezuela, assuring senators with full certainty that the United States is not positioned for nor expects to conduct further interventions. The Wednesday clarification represented a notable shift from prepared remarks suggesting Washington would not hesitate to use force again.
The Secretary of State specified that additional military action would require emergence of an imminent threat that officials do not currently anticipate. He emphasized that Venezuela’s interim government is cooperating and described the country’s situation as improved compared to four weeks earlier. Rubio projected continued positive developments that would eliminate any necessity for additional operations.
The retreat from prepared testimony came during intense questioning from both Republican and Democratic senators about the administration’s long-term strategy and willingness to employ military force. While Republicans generally praised the operation that removed Nicolas Maduro, Democrats expressed deep concerns about potential escalation or expanded intervention.
Rubio outlined economic frameworks including restoration of limited oil sales with strict Treasury oversight and detailed American demands on interim authorities. He characterized cooperation as productive while acknowledging that Venezuela’s recovery cannot occur overnight. The Secretary met with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado after the hearing.
The hearing also addressed multiple foreign policy concerns including Greenland, NATO tensions, Iran, and China. Rubio sought to reassure allies disturbed by Trump’s aggressive rhetoric while defending the president’s confrontational diplomatic style. He maintained that fundamental American commitments remain intact despite contentious debates about alliance burden-sharing and defense spending.