Rubio Defends Venezuela Policy Before Former Senate Colleagues

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced pointed questions from former Senate colleagues on Wednesday as he defended the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy, drawing scrutiny over U.S. military action, congressional oversight and the path forward for the crisis-hit nation.

Rubio appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since the United States backed a military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and supported the installation of an interim government in Venezuela.

Lawmakers from both parties pressed Rubio on the scope of U.S. involvement in Venezuela, the legal basis for recent actions and whether Washington risks becoming drawn into a prolonged conflict.

• Rubio faces tough Senate questions defending Trump administration’s Venezuela policy
• Senate probes U.S. military role and oversight after Maduro’s removal
• Rubio says U.S. not at war with Venezuela amid congressional scrutiny

Responding to concerns, Rubio said the United States is not at war with Venezuela and does not plan a military occupation. He told senators that there is no active combat mission and that any U.S. troop presence would be limited to protecting diplomatic facilities. Rubio also said the administration believes the situation in Venezuela now offers an opportunity for political transition after years of economic collapse and authoritarian rule.

Several senators expressed frustration that Congress was not fully briefed ahead of key decisions. Democrats, joined by some Republicans, questioned whether the administration bypassed lawmakers in exercising presidential war powers. Tensions intensified after a recent Senate vote aimed at restricting those powers failed by a narrow margin.

Rubio defended the administration’s actions as necessary to protect U.S. foreign policy interests and regional security in Latin America. He argued that Venezuela had become a security concern due to organized crime, drug trafficking and the influence of rival powers including Russia, China and Iran. According to Rubio, U.S. policy is focused on stabilisation, humanitarian access and creating conditions for democratic elections in Venezuela.

Critics also raised questions about control of Venezuelan oil assets and reports of U.S. strikes linked to counter-narcotics operations. Rubio said all actions were taken within existing legal frameworks and stressed that the administration remains committed to working with Congress.

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The hearing highlighted divisions in Washington over foreign policy authority and the limits of executive power. It also underscored the challenges Rubio faces in balancing a hardline Venezuela strategy with lawmakers’ demands for transparency, accountability and a clearly defined endgame.