NextFin News - In a significant escalation of regional foreign policy, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that the United States is prepared to use military force to ensure the "maximum cooperation" of Venezuela’s interim government. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 27, 2026, Rubio emphasized that acting President Delcy Rodríguez must align with Washington’s strategic and economic objectives or risk the same fate as her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, who was seized by U.S. special forces earlier this month.
The warning comes as the Trump administration seeks to solidify its influence over the world’s largest proven oil reserves. According to AFP, Rubio’s prepared testimony underscored that while the U.S. prefers diplomatic and economic leverage, U.S. President Trump has authorized the use of force as a final resort. The Secretary of State characterized the January 3 raid in Caracas—which resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores—as a "historic success" achieved at a low cost to American lives, despite reports from Venezuelan officials of over 100 local casualties. Rubio’s rhetoric signals a transition from the "maximum pressure" campaign of years past to a policy of direct enforcement.
The primary objectives of this renewed pressure are twofold: the total reorientation of Venezuela’s energy sector toward American interests and the expulsion of adversarial foreign influence. Rubio noted that Rodríguez has already made preliminary concessions, including the release of political prisoners and the authorization of 30 to 50 million barrels of crude oil sales to the United States. However, Washington is demanding more permanent structural changes, including preferential access for U.S. oil majors and a formal break from long-standing allies such as Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba. According to Reuters, U.S. intelligence remains skeptical of Rodríguez’s long-term commitment to these demands, noting that she has yet to expel foreign advisors or diplomats from these nations.
From a financial perspective, the stakes are immense. Venezuela’s oil industry, once the backbone of its economy, has suffered from years of mismanagement and sanctions. By forcing a cooperation agreement, the U.S. President aims to secure a stable energy supply while creating a massive market for American goods, funded by Venezuelan oil revenue. This "energy-for-goods" framework is a cornerstone of the administration's broader economic strategy. However, the presence of Maduro loyalists within the current administration in Caracas creates a volatile environment for potential investors. While Rodríguez has announced the unblocking of some Venezuelan assets in U.S. banks following talks with Rubio and the U.S. President, the threat of military intervention remains a heavy shadow over any commercial normalization.
The geopolitical implications extend beyond the borders of Venezuela. The Trump administration has increasingly framed its Latin American policy through a revived and modernized "Monroe Doctrine." By successfully removing Maduro and threatening his successor with similar action, the U.S. is sending a clear message to other regional leaders. The recent seizure of five oil tankers destined for Cuba and the public warnings issued to Colombian President Gustavo Petro suggest a broader regional strategy aimed at dismantling left-wing alliances and drug trafficking networks through unilateral action. Rubio’s assertion that "Venezuela will be free and prosperous under a government that fully cooperates with the United States" reflects a vision where regional stability is synonymous with U.S. alignment.
Looking ahead, the sustainability of this "cooperation through coercion" model will depend on the internal stability of the Rodríguez administration and the U.S. government's willingness to follow through on its threats. While the U.S. is considering reopening its embassy in Caracas, it is also maintaining contact with high-ranking Venezuelan military officials as potential alternatives should Rodríguez falter. Furthermore, some White House advisors have identified opposition leader María Corina Machado as a preferred long-term partner. In the coming months, the global energy market will be watching closely to see if the U.S. can successfully integrate Venezuelan production back into the Western fold without triggering a wider regional conflict or a domestic insurgency within Venezuela.
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