“SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS”
“For the first time in 20 years, we are having serious conversations about eroding and eliminating the Iranian presence, the Chinese influence, the Russian presence as well. In fact, I will tell you that there are many elements there in Venezuela that welcome a return to establishing relations with the United States on multiple fronts,” he said.
Rubio was due to meet at the State Department later on Wednesday with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, amid questions of whether Trump would install her as Venezuela’s leader to replace Maduro.
Two weeks ago, Trump’s fellow Republicans narrowly blocked a resolution that would have barred Trump from further military action in Venezuela without Congress’ authorisation. Vice President JD Vance was forced to break a tie.
Rubio told the committee Maduro had to be removed from power because Venezuela had become a base of operations for US adversaries, including China, Russia and Iran, and his alleged cooperation with drug traffickers was affecting the region and the United States.
“It was an untenable situation and it had to be addressed,” Rubio said.
The US had set up a mechanism to sell Venezuelan oil in the short term but aimed to facilitate a transition to “a friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela” that ultimately chooses its leaders through free and fair elections, Rubio said.
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