The United States is not concerned about a potential escalation with Russia over Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, as President Donald Trump increases U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean.
The Trump administration has sent thousands of troops to the region, along with an aircraft carrier, warships and fighter jets, as part of what it says is a campaign to counter drug trafficking and pressure the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters on Friday during a marathon end-of-year news conference in Washington, Rubio said the United States did not view Russia’s involvement in Venezuela as a decisive factor in its decision-making.
"We’re not concerned about an escalation with Russia, with regards to Venezuela," he said, adding that Washington expected Moscow to offer rhetorical support for the Maduro government.
Russia’s foreign ministry responded on Thursday by warning the Trump administration not to make what it called a "fatal mistake" over Venezuela. Moscow said it was concerned about U.S. actions that could threaten international shipping, while reiterating its close ties with Caracas.
The Trump administration has stepped up operations in the region in recent weeks. It has carried out strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast and declared a “blockade” of sanctioned oil shipments entering and leaving the country.
President Trump has also repeatedly said that strikes on land in Venezuela could come soon.
A recent strategy document from the administration said the United States would reassert its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, invoking the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which declared the region to be within Washington’s sphere of influence.
Democratic lawmakers have criticised the administration for providing limited information about the military operations. Rubio rejected suggestions that the actions required congressional approval.
“Nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or cross the threshold into war,” he said.
Rubio added that while some strikes against suspected drug vessels had been considered, they were not carried out because they did not meet legal criteria. “We know who’s on those boats. We’ve been tracking them from the very beginning,” he said.
Venezuela’s foreign minister, Yvan Gil, condemned Rubio’s remarks, accusing him of pursuing a policy of regime change.
“All of his attacks and ‘fake news’ are aimed at plundering Venezuela’s oil, land, minerals and resources,” Gil said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
Syrian government forces have moved into Aleppo’s Sheikh Maksoud district after a temporary ceasefire with Kurdish fighters collapsed, the army said...
Governments in Europe and Asia are stepping up pressure on X and its Grok chatbot after AI-generated sexualised images sparked regulatory action, with...
Protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on Friday night, setting off fireworks and banging pots and pans as they gathered outside hotels said ...
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying a surveillance drone into its airspace earlier this month, an allegation Pyongyang says violates its sov...
Warning of a strategic threat from Russia and China, Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States must acquire Greenland to prevent the Arctic island from falling under foreign control.
The foreign ministries of Armenia and Iran held political consultations in Yerevan, according to official statements.
Minnesota officials have launched their own investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, as protests spread across several U.S. cities and tensions grow between state and federal authorities.
Japan's elevated interest in Central Asia reflects a combination of economic motives, such as access to resources and investment opportunities, as well as geopolitical goals aimed at promoting regional stability and enabling a counterbalance to other major powers.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now entering their twelfth day.
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying a surveillance drone into its airspace earlier this month, an allegation Pyongyang says violates its sovereignty and comes just ahead of a major ruling party congress expected to shape policy for the next five years.
Protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on Friday night, setting off fireworks and banging pots and pans as they gathered outside hotels said to be housing federal immigration agents.
The United States has expressed support for the people of Iran as protests continue across the country, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalling Washington’s backing for demonstrators.
Warning of a strategic threat from Russia and China, Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States must acquire Greenland to prevent the Arctic island from falling under foreign control.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment