Rubio: Venezuela making progress; US not planning more use of force

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela's new leaders were moving toward closer ties with Washington, leaving no immediate need for further US military action, as he publicly faced lawmakers' questions on Wednesday for the first time since illegitimate president Nicolas Maduro's capture this month.

President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to work with Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally who was sworn in as interim president after his arrest, but previously warned of further military action if her government did not comply with US demands.

Rubio, a former Florida senator and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told a packed Senate hearing room that while Trump would not rule out any options, "we are not postured to, nor do we intend or expect to, have to take any military action in Venezuela," signaling the administration's satisfaction with Rodriguez.

"The only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our Marine guards at an embassy. That is our goal. That is our expectation," Rubio said.

Communications with Venezuela's leaders were, "very respectful and productive," Rubio said, adding that he expected the US would soon be able to reopen a diplomatic presence in the country. The US embassy in Caracas has been shuttered since 2019, but the US State Department has in recent weeks sent officials to begin preparations for its reopening.