Rubio: US ready to use force to force Venezuela to maximize cooperation

Administration of the President of the United States Donald Trump is ready to use force to ensure maximum cooperation from acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, writes Bloomberg.

The US hopes for a rational position from Rodriguez, but is ready to take tough action if diplomatic and economic levers fail. Rubio expressed hope that personal gain would encourage her to contribute to the realization of key US goals.

According to Rubio, Rodriguez has pledged to open Venezuela's energy sector to American companies, provide priority access to oil production, and use the proceeds from its sale to buy American goods.

"We are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail. We hope that this will not be necessary," he said in an address to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Earlier this week, Rodriguez said that Venezuela had "had enough" of American interference. Her government is "facing discontent from leftist parties over plans to reform the oil industry."

The agency noted that a few hours after the capture of the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro Trump announced that the United States would work with Rodriguez, not the popular opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. However, Rubio plans to meet with Machado at the State Department at 13:00 (20:00 Kyiv time) on Wednesday, January 28. The topic of discussion at the meeting has not yet been disclosed.

• on January 3, 2026, Maduro and his wife grabbed by the U.S. military and taken out of Venezuela. The couple was accused of drug trafficking. january 5 the trial was held, in which Maduro pleaded not guilty.
• On the same day, Rodriguez officially took the oath as interim head of state.
• on January 4, Rubio said that The US will continue to put pressure on Venezuelaattacking ships carrying oil and drugs.
• january 9, Trump canceled the second wave of attacks on Venezuela, saying that the country has cooperated.
• U.S. officials have said they want Rodriguez broke off the relationship with close allies such as Iran, China, and Russia.