The head of American diplomacy spoke about plans for the future of Venezuela during an appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Marco Rubio praised cooperation with the Venezuelan authorities. He noted that progress is faster than he expected, and talks with the authorities, headed by Delcy Rodriguez, former deputy of the deposed Nicolas Maduro, are “very productive” and based on respect. Maduro was captured in Caracas by US soldiers on January 3 and taken to the US, where he was charged with terrorism and drug trafficking.
What are the main US goals in Venezuela?
Who is the current US Secretary of State?
What financial resources were transferred to Venezuela?
Who is Marco Rubio supposed to meet?
— For the first time in 20 years, we are having serious talks about eliminating the Iranian presence, Chinese influence and also the Russian presence. In fact, let me tell you that There are many groups in Venezuela that welcome the return to relations with the United States Rubio said.
USA and goals to be achieved in Venezuela
The Secretary of State stated that the goal that the administration wants to achieve is “friendly, stable and democratic” Venezuela and the holding of fair and free elections. At the same time, he admitted that he did not expect the path to this goal to be easy. He added that he has no illusions about the people who are currently ruling the country.
— These are people who have spent most of their lives in a gangster's paradise – he said, using a quote from a famous song by rapper Coolio. However, he noted that cooperation with the remnants of the Maduro regime was the best option available. On Wednesday, Rubio is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
The US does not rule out repeated intervention in Venezuela
The Secretary of State announced that the president Donald Trump does not give up the possibility of using force in the future to force Venezuela to cooperate, but added that he did not currently see such a need and did not expect it to arise. He announced that the US is seeking to open an embassy in Venezuela.
Rubio also said that funds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil transferred to the US are currently placed in an account in Qatar, but will ultimately be transferred to a blocked account of the US Ministry of Finance and ultimately to Venezuela.
He announced control over how the Venezuelan authorities will spend these funds. He stressed that the money was to be spent only on American products, including drugs and petroleum thinners.
In the latter case, deliveries of goods from the USA are to completely replace deliveries from Russia. Rubio reported that so far $300 million from the sale of Venezuelan oil was transferred to Venezuela. According to him, the rest – 200 million – will remain in the account in Qatar. He also noted that in order to stabilize the country's economy, it will be necessary to suspend some of the sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
