Venezuela Crisis Deepens as US Secretary of State Rubio Appears to Backtrack on Trump's Claim

The situation in Venezuela continues to unfold with increasing tension and uncertainty. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to backtrack on President Donald Trump's claim that the US will "run" Venezuela after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's chief of staff, Calixto Ortega.

Background: US Capture of Venezuelan Chief of Staff

On Saturday, a group of US Special Forces operatives raided the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, where Maduro was attending a meeting. The operation resulted in the capture of Calixto Ortega, who is believed to be Maduro's chief of staff. This move has been seen as a significant escalation in the US efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government.

Trump's Claim: "We're Going to Run Venezuela"

On Friday, President Trump made a statement suggesting that the US would take control of Venezuela after Maduro was ousted from power. He stated, "I think we have to be very careful about this. We don't want a country like Cuba or Venezuela in our neighbor's hands." The full quote was, "We're going to run Venezuela."

Rubio's Backtracking

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to distance himself from Trump's claim. In an interview with CNN, Rubio stated that the US is committed to supporting Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has been recognized as the country's interim president by many countries, including the US.

Rubio emphasized that the US is not looking to "run" Venezuela or impose its will on the country. Instead, he stated that the US goal is to support a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Venezuela.

Reaction from Maduro's Government

The Venezuelan government has condemned the US operation as an act of aggression and a threat to national sovereignty. In a statement released on Sunday, the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense described the US actions as "an act of war" that will not be tolerated.

International Community Weighs in

The international community has been divided over the US actions in Venezuela. Some countries, such as Brazil and Mexico, have expressed support for Juan Guaidó's claim to the presidency, while others, like China and Russia, have maintained their recognition of Maduro as the legitimate leader.

Economic Sanctions: A Tool of Pressure

The US has imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in an attempt to pressure the government into accepting a transition of power. The sanctions include restrictions on oil exports, which are a significant source of revenue for the Venezuelan economy.

However, the effectiveness of these sanctions is uncertain, and some analysts argue that they have had little impact on the country's ability to meet its basic needs.

Conclusion: A Complex and Uncertain Situation

The situation in Venezuela remains complex and uncertain. The US actions have added fuel to a fire that has been burning for months, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of this latest development will be.

As Rubio's statement suggests, the US is committed to supporting a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. However, the road ahead will likely be long and difficult, and it remains to be seen whether the Venezuelan people will accept an alternative government.

Key Players:

• President Donald Trump
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Juan Guaidó (Venezuelan opposition leader)
• Nicolás Maduro (Venezuelan president)
• Calixto Ortega (Venezuelan chief of staff)

Timeline:

• Saturday: US Special Forces operatives raid the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, capturing Calixto Ortega.
• Sunday: Marco Rubio appears to backtrack on Trump's claim that the US will "run" Venezuela.
• Friday: President Trump makes a statement suggesting that the US would take control of Venezuela after Maduro is ousted from power.

Related Topics:

• Venezuelan crisis
• US foreign policy
• Economic sanctions
• Juan Guaidó
• Nicolás Maduro