Maduro government ‘intolerable’ for US, says Marco Rubio | World

“The current status quo of the Venezuelan regime, in which it operates and cooperates with terrorist organizations against the national interest of the United States, is intolerable to us,” Rubio said.

“So yes, our goal right now is to change that dynamic,” he added.

He denied that Washington intended to strike a deal with Caracas, saying there was no alliance with “those people.”

“Just as it is not possible to conclude a peace agreement with the mafia,” the secretary of state said.

According to Rubio, the Trump administration is also not worried about possible Russian support for Venezuela, saying that Washington already expected it and that it is not a factor that weighs on the issue as a whole.

The secretary of state did not deny that the United States was pushing to overthrow Maduro’s government and did not comment on the National Congress’ warning of a possible ground attack in Venezuela.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said he could brief members of Congress, but “wouldn’t need to”.

Trump has repeatedly suggested a possible ground incursion by US armed forces into Venezuela. In recent weeks, Washington has increased pressure on Maduro’s government, which it considers illegitimate.

More recently, the United States has targeted Venezuela’s oil sector, one of the country’s main sources of resources. On Tuesday, the US president ordered the seizure of all sanctioned vessels entering and leaving Venezuela.

The secretary of state reinforced Washington’s narrative that the presence of US forces in the Caribbean is aimed at “regional security stability”, which represents something in the US “national interest”.

This reasoning coincides with that disclosed in a recent Trump strategy document, which stated that the Trump administration would reaffirm its position in the Western Hemisphere and that the United States should revive the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the region as the country’s zone of influence.

“We reserve the right, and we have the right, to use all elements of national power to defend the national interest of the United States. And no one can dispute that,” Rubio said.