Description: US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where he explained the immediate plans for Venezuela. Rubio denounced any military action in the foreseeable future and stated that the Trump administration has had an amicable and cooperative relation with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez. Rubio further focused on the reported lifting of some of the sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s oil sector and the restitution of diplomatic relationship between the two countries in the immediate future. He concluded by stating that the ultimate goal of the US is to establish a trustworthy and democratic government in Venezuela which would result in reconstructing the bilateral ties with the countries that had been damaged over the last 20 years. Before his Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony, Rubio met with Venezuela’s opposition leader in exile, Maria Corina Machado, where they discussed her involvement in the country’s future. Rubio’s testimony was heavily criticized by the Democrats which were highly skeptical the US might deliver productive and constructive progress in Venezuela. In the interim, reports have emerged that the CIA and the US intelligence circles have raised some doubts about Rodriguez and her early defiance of US – imposed domestic policy measures. These reports also stated that the US has requested for Rodriguez to cut ties with US adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran, which she reportedly refused in the short – term.
Impact: Rubio’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony was distilled into public reassurances of abandoning future military interventions and immediate steps that would be undertaken to establish bilateral ties with Venezuela. According to his statements, the US would most definitely be directly involved in the reconstruction of the country’s governance capacities and national sectors through a policy of heavy bilateral dependence. Rubio’s meeting with opposition leader in exile Machado coupled with the reports that US intelligence circles doubt the current interim President commitments indicates a long – term political strategy. The US is attempting to instill the idea of early elections, considering that Rodriguez’ immediate emergence as an interim President of the country causes early governance issues and Machado appears as the obvious alternative in the long – term. Venezuela’s ties to China, Russia and Iran cannot be immediately ceased, however, in case of early elections that process should be expedited under US foreign pressure. The immediate prospects for Venezuela would include gradual reestablishment of US presence and reshaping bilateral diplomatic relations while focusing on restitution of critical national sectors. Diplomacy is still fragile and the possibility of political instability is present, however, depending on the US approach in the mid – term, Venezuela still represents a volatile socio – economic environment.