Washington has clarified that the United States will not assume a governing role in Venezuela but will continue to enforce oil blockades as a means to pressure for political change.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while the U.S. will not run Venezuela’s day-to-day affairs, it will maintain an oil quarantine to restrict the country’s exports and weaken the current regime’s economic base.
The statement comes after earlier remarks by President Donald Trump suggesting that the U.S. could “run” Venezuela following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro, raising concerns about prolonged foreign intervention.
Maduro’s capture and extradition to the United States has left Venezuela’s leadership in flux, with Washington emphasizing economic coercion rather than direct governance as its chosen strategy.
Analysts note that the blockade could intensify Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis and strain U.S. relations with countries reliant on Venezuelan oil, while also impacting regional stability through increased refugee flows.
