Rubio says Maduro arrest was law enforcement action, not invasion

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is exerting control over Venezuela’s future through an aggressive oil “quarantine,” sanctions enforcement, and maritime interdiction rather than direct military occupation, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

In separate appearances on This Week and Face the Nation, Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States is effectively “running” Venezuela, saying Washington is using court-authorized seizures of sanctioned oil shipments and a major naval deployment to apply pressure on those who control the country’s institutions.

Rubio said the strategy targets Venezuela’s oil industry, which he described as the regime’s primary economic lifeline. He accused the country’s leadership of stealing oil revenues and operating the sector as a “pirate operation” that benefits a small group of elites rather than the Venezuelan population.

“The oil wealth doesn’t reach the people,” Rubio said, adding that profits have instead fueled narcotrafficking, criminal gangs, and alliances with U.S. adversaries.

According to Rubio, the U.S. objectives include halting drug trafficking, stopping the flow of gangs and migrants into the United States, and eliminating the presence of foreign adversaries such as Iran and Hizballah, as well as armed groups including the FARC and the ELN, from the Western Hemisphere. He said sanctioned oil shipments will continue to be seized under court orders until concrete changes are made.

Addressing questions about legitimacy, Rubio reiterated that the United States does not recognize Venezuela’s current leadership as democratically elected. However, he said Washington is dealing pragmatically with officials who currently control state institutions in order to achieve enforcement and security goals.

“Legitimacy can only come through a real transition and genuine elections,” Rubio said, arguing that Venezuela has not held credible elections for years. He added that U.S. policy will be guided by actions rather than public statements, warning that failure to comply with U.S. demands would trigger continued pressure.

Rubio also defended the arrest of Maduro as a law enforcement operation based on sealed indictments, not a military invasion. He argued that congressional authorization was not required due to the exigent nature of the mission and the need for operational secrecy, describing the operation as complex and high-risk.

While Rubio said the United States retains multiple forms of leverage including military options he emphasized there is no announced plan to occupy Venezuela. Instead, he said the oil quarantine and sanctions regime will remain in place until Washington sees changes that serve both U.S. national interests and the welfare of the Venezuelan people.