Rubio: US State Secretary says Trump “always retains optionality” and reverses his position on governing Venezuela
Rubio: Following their military assault in Venezuela’s capital, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reversed Trump’s statement to “run” the country on Sunday (local time), pointing out that the President had “always retained optionality.”
In an interview with CBS News’s Face the Nation, Rubio said, “The president always retains optionality on anything and on all these matters,” when asked whether the US was now occupying the South American nation. According to the US Constitution, he is unquestionably capable of taking action against immediate and serious dangers to the nation.
He continued by saying that the present actions, such as an embargo on oil and significant naval deployments, are intended to put pressure on the Venezuelan government.Although that’s not what you’re seeing at the moment, I believe he is pointing out that people are obsessed with boots and this or that, but he does not feel like he is going to openly exclude choices that are accessible for the United States. He said, “What you’re witnessing now is an oil quarantine that gives us tremendous leverage over what happens next.”What you see as a force posture, in my opinion, was one of the biggest naval deployments in modern history, at least in the Western Hemisphere. It can stop not only drug boats but also any other sanctioned boats that enter and exit the region, effectively paralyzing that part of the regime’s revenue-generating operations. Thus, it will remain in place,” he continued.
His comments follow a “large-scale strike against Venezuela” by Washington on Saturday, which resulted in the detention and flight of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
President Donald Trump said that the United States would govern the nation “until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition” during a news conference held from Palm Beach, Florida, one day earlier.
Bringing “outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro to justice” was the stated goal of the US operation.Until a safe, appropriate, and prudent transfer can be made, we will continue to govern the nation. We cannot afford for someone else to take over Venezuela without considering the interests of the Venezuelan people. We want peace, justice, and liberty for the wonderful people of Venezuela. We will not allow it to occur. Although we are currently there, we want to remain until a suitable transition occurs. He said, “We’re going to run it basically until such time.”Trump said, “We don’t fear boots on the ground.”
In a coordinated effort including US law enforcement and intelligence services, Maduro and Flores were apprehended in Caracas and flown out of the nation.
According to Trump, Maduro and his spouse will go on trial after being charged with “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” in the Southern District of New York.