Rubio outlines Washington's conditions for cooperating with Venezuelan leaders after Maduro's removal
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Sunday that the United States is conditionally open to working with the remaining leaders in power in Venezuela, following the US-led operation that ousted and arrested President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio explained that this cooperation hinges on these leaders' ability to make the "right decision" that serves the interests of the Venezuelan people and restores the country's democratic path.
In remarks to CBS News, Rubio stressed that the future US position will not be based on promises but will be determined "based on what they do on the ground," adding in a warning tone: "What I do know is that if they don't make the right decision, the United States will retain several tools of pressure," referring to the economic and diplomatic sanctions that Washington possesses.
China intervenes and demands Maduro's release
Internationally, the response from major powers allied with the former regime was swift. China demanded on Sunday that the United States immediately and unconditionally release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement saying, "China calls on the United States to guarantee the personal safety of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, release them immediately, and cease its efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government," describing the US action as a "clear violation of international law" and the principles of the UN Charter.
Context of the historical tension between Washington and Caracas
These rapid developments are the culmination of years of heightened tensions in US-Venezuelan relations. Since the rise of the Chavista movement to power and the subsequent rule of Nicolás Maduro, Washington has imposed a series of harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil and gas sector, as well as sanctions targeting high-ranking figures in the regime, accusing them of undermining democracy and violating human rights. Marco Rubio, known for his hawkish stance against leftist regimes in Latin America, has long maintained that regime change in Venezuela is essential for regional stability.
The geopolitical and economic importance of the event
This event is of exceptional importance given Venezuela's strategic location and natural resources; the country possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. This political shift is expected to have direct repercussions on global energy markets, particularly as OPEC closely monitors the fate of Venezuelan production. The event also represents a turning point in the geopolitical struggle in South America, where the United States seeks to reassert its traditional influence in the face of Chinese and Russian expansion, which has been bolstered during Maduro's rule through loans and investments in the energy sector.
Observers believe that the next stage will be crucial, as Venezuela will either move towards a peaceful transition of power that reintegrates it into the global economy, or it will slide into internal chaos that could affect the stability of neighboring countries and increase waves of migration and asylum in the region.
