US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s administration does not intend to take further military action against Venezuela, but the president reserves the option.
He said they have established a “respectful and productive” line of communication with the current leaders there.
Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was the first time he faced questioning in Congress since the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.
Rubio defended the operation. He said the United States made “multiple attempts” to get Maduro to leave, but described him as “not a guy you can make a deal with.”
He also said the country has become a “base of operations” for US adversaries and competitors.
Rubio said, “For the first time in 20 years, we’re having serious conversations about eroding and eliminating the Iranian presence, the Chinese influence, the Russian presence as well.”
He also believes Washington will soon be able to open a “diplomatic presence” in the country.
Rubio later met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the State Department. Speaking to reporters after their talks, Machado said she told Rubio that she wants to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible.” But she said that she and many Venezuelans need security guarantees.
She said: “It’s about hundreds of political leaders that have been forced to flee. Many other hundreds of thousands that are in hiding right now in Venezuela that want to go out and accompany our people. And certainly, millions of Venezuelans that are around the world.”
She also said the people of Venezuela will decide on her role in a future government.