Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's recent Venezuela operation—capturing Nicolás Maduro in a targeted 4.5-hour law enforcement action—during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. Bipartisan lawmakers questioned its constitutionality, costs, oil influences, legality under wartime powers, transition plans, and broader regional threats, as Rubio emphasized countering transnational crime and foreign adversaries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on U.S. policy toward Venezuela, facing challenges from both Democrats and Republicans following a U.S. raid weeks earlier that captured Nicolás Maduro, who faces U.S. indictment and a $50 million bounty but was not recognized as Venezuela's legitimate leader.
Rubio described the operation as a limited law enforcement and stabilization effort, not a war or occupation, with no U.S. troops on the ground. "There is no war against Venezuela, and we did not occupy a country," he said, stressing threats from non-state actors with advanced weaponry, including gangs flooding the U.S. with fentanyl and cocaine. He framed it as countering transnational criminal organizations fueling migration and drug trafficking in Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean basin, and Haiti.
Democrats raised multiple concerns. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) questioned President Trump's invocation of wartime powers for Caribbean drug boat strikes without a war declaration, historically rare (War of 1812, WWI, WWII), and challenged use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua members, alleging torture—which Rubio denied. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) accused the administration of withholding legal details and questioned why opposition leader María Corina Machado was not installed, demanding transparency and congressional benchmarks. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) asked if oil executives influenced Maduro's removal or discussions with Trump; Rubio denied it, noting Chevron's sanctioned operations. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) highlighted costs estimated at hundreds of millions to $1 billion for the naval blockade and raid. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) criticized resource seizures and no-bid oil licenses to Trump-linked companies.
Republicans were mixed. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) called the operation an unconstitutional act of war, posing a hypothetical about foreign actions against a U.S. president. Rubio countered it did not meet war's definition. Chairman Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) praised the brief, successful raid with no U.S. casualties.
Rubio outlined post-operation goals: eroding Iranian, Chinese, and Russian influence for the first time in 20 years, appointing Laura F. Dogu as ambassador to Caracas (first since 2019), and pursuing a normal Venezuelan energy program without prolonged entanglements. He warned of potential force for cooperation if needed and noted transition complexities: "This is not a frozen dinner... These are complex things." Concerns persisted about interim figures like Delcy Rodríguez, linked to drug trade. On Cuba, Rubio said the U.S. welcomes but won't pursue regime change, per Helms-Burton Act. In a lighter moment, Sen. Kaine referenced Trump's Iceland-Greenland mix-up; Rubio quipped about past presidents.
The hearing extended to Iran, where Rubio highlighted economic collapse from regime terrorism sponsorship fueling protests and sanctions, predicting unrest without change.
Overall, the testimony underscored demands for oversight amid U.S. efforts for a 'friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela.'
