US Secretary of State Rubio: US has no intention of military operation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the country's policy on Venezuela. Responding to senators' questions for the first time since the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US, Rubio argued that the Maduro regime in Venezuela had "created an intolerable situation" and functioned as an operational base for all of the US's enemies and rivals in the world. When asked about future steps in Venezuela, Rubio stated, "In our hemisphere, there was a regime run by a drug trafficker under indictment, which had turned into an operational base for almost everyone in the world who is a rival, adversary, or enemy of the US." Stating that the Maduro regime posed a significant strategic risk to the US, Rubio said, "This was an intolerable situation and it had to be addressed."

The US Secretary of State declared, "What we want to achieve is a transition phase that will lead to a friendly, stable, prosperous, and democratic Venezuela where all segments of society are represented through free and fair elections. We will not achieve this in three weeks; it will take some time."

Emphasizing that the first goal after Maduro's removal from office is to ensure stability and that oil sanctions are a key tool, Rubio said that space must be opened for different voices to emerge in Venezuelan politics, which would require the release of political prisoners. Rubio also stated that the US is much further along on the Venezuela issue than is thought and that significant progress has been made.

"We made multiple attempts to ensure Maduro left voluntarily"

US Secretary of State Rubio said that the Trump administration made many attempts to reach an agreement with Maduro to ensure the Venezuelan leader's withdrawal. Rubio stated, "We made multiple attempts to ensure Maduro left voluntarily and to avoid all of this." Rubio argued that Maduro was not someone who could be easily negotiated with and that the Venezuelan leader was trying to buy time.

Defended not informing Congress about the operation

During the session, Democratic Senator from Delaware Chris Coons criticized the White House for not consulting with Congress before the operation in Venezuela. Pointing out that while Maduro's capture was carried out successfully, it was a high-risk activity, Coons stated that the US administration had time to consult with Congress.

Secretary of State Rubio admitted that the issue of consultation with the US Congress caused tension within the administration, saying, "On the other hand, the situation we were facing was highly specific. In fact, this mission could not have been presented to Congress in the form of a briefing. Because until the negotiation efforts we conducted with Maduro until very late in December failed, such an option was not possible. However, once that point was reached, options were presented to US President Donald Trump that would allow him to make this decision."

Rubio stated that they wanted to keep the mission secret and that its disclosure would have endangered people's lives.

US military presence in Venezuela will be limited

In response to a question from Democratic Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy regarding the US military presence in Venezuela, Rubio replied, "The only military presence you will see in Venezuela will be the marines at the Embassy. This is not our expectation; it is our goal." Rubio said, "The US is not positioned to conduct any military operation in Venezuela, has no such intention, and does not foresee a need for one."

"We want a Venezuela where legitimate and democratic elections are held"

In response to a question from Republican Senator from Florida Rick Scott regarding expectations for elections in Venezuela, Rubio replied that an opportunity had emerged for things to change in Venezuela following the US operation. Rubio stated, "We sincerely believe that the only way to reach a free and prosperous Venezuela that is allied with the US is a structure where every segment of society is represented in politics." Emphasizing the need for an internal reconciliation process that would allow different voices to participate in political life in Venezuela, Rubio said, "We want a Venezuela where legitimate and democratic elections are held."

"The US is not at war with Venezuela"

The US Secretary of State answered a question from Democratic Senator from Illinois Tammy Duckworth about whether the US is at war with Venezuela by saying, "We are not at war with Venezuela," while adding that the US is fighting against gangs in Venezuela within a war-like framework.

"NATO needs to be redesigned"

During the session, Democratic Senator from New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen directed criticisms at Rubio regarding US President Trump's treatment of some NATO member countries. To Senator Shaheen's question about whether the US still benefits from the NATO alliance established after World War II, Rubio said, "Yes, we do. But NATO needs to be redesigned." Emphasizing that NATO cannot exist without the US, Rubio said, "For NATO to be stronger, our partners also need to be stronger."

Rubio pointed out that some NATO allies are avoiding taking forward steps. Shaheen, on the other hand, said that the Trump administration's alienation of its allies has weakened the US position and that Canada's search for a trade agreement with China came after the "trade war" waged by Trump with tariffs.

"We are in a good place regarding Greenland"

In his statements to the senators, Rubio announced that the US is planning technical-level meetings with the Danish and Greenlandic governments regarding Greenland. Emphasizing that a professional process that will result in good outcomes for everyone is underway regarding Greenland, Rubio said, "The President's interest in Greenland is clear. This is a national security issue." Emphasizing that President Trump has clearly stated he will not use force for Greenland, Rubio said, "I can say that we are in a good place right now."

"The Peace Board is not a structure that replaces the UN"

Responding to a question from Democratic Senator from Hawaii Brian Schatz regarding the Peace Board established for Gaza, Secretary of State Rubio said that this structure is not an alternative to the United Nations. Stating that the mechanism that enabled the establishment of the Peace Board was created by a UN resolution, Rubio emphasized that the board's sole and primary focus is currently the implementation of the second and third phases of the peace plan in Gaza.

Expressing that some countries are concerned that the Peace Board could replace the UN, Rubio said, "This is not a structure that replaces the UN." Rubio added, "However, the UN has had a very limited function when it comes to Gaza, other than food aid. Therefore, it is critical to have a structure that will take on this responsibility."

News Source: 12punto