President Donald Trump refused to dismiss potential war with Venezuela during an NBC interview on Thursday evening. “I don’t rule it out, no,” he stated plainly when questioned directly, also declining to confirm whether he seeks to oust President Nicolas Maduro despite earlier claiming the leader’s “days are numbered.”
Consequently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed on Friday to blockade Venezuela’s critical oil exports during a bilingual State Department briefing. “Nothing will impede our ability to enforce US law regarding sanctions,” Rubio declared firmly. Furthermore, he called the current Venezuela regime “intolerable” but avoided explicitly confirming regime change goals.
Moreover, Rubio emphasized the administration’s actions aim to “change that dynamic” under Trump’s direction. His stance marks a shift from Trump’s earlier openness to dealing with Maduro. Meanwhile, the White House imposed new sanctions Friday targeting Maduro’s family associates.
Congressional Tensions Mount
The Republican-controlled House narrowly rejected limiting Trump’s military options against Venezuela just Wednesday. Rubio insisted no congressional war approval currently needed, “Nothing has happened requiring us to notify Congress or cross that threshold.”
Public opposition remains strong however, with a Quinnipiac poll showing 63% of voters reject military action. Trump previously pledged to avoid foreign wars while asserting US dominance across the Americas, with his administration claiming naval deployments target drug trafficking, not invasion preparations.
Meanwhile, Venezuela, holding the world’s largest oil reserves, has vowed to protect its tankers despite US pressure, as the oil revenue provides a vital lifeline for both Caracas and Havana. The standoff intensifies as Trump declares Venezuela “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in South America’s history.”
