Rubio Controls Venezuela From Washington 6 Months After Maduro's Capture
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 11
Rubio Controls Venezuela From Washington 6 Months After Maduro's Capture
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 11
Summary
Six months after U.S. commandos seized Nicolás Maduro, Marco Rubio has emerged as the effective power center over Venezuela’s finances, natural resources and government, according to officials and people close to both governments.
From Washington, Rubio is deeply involved in day-to-day decisions rather than acting only through diplomats, giving him sway over a sovereign state on a scale compared in the report to the U.S. role in Iraq in 2003.
Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, now leads on an acting basis with U.S. backing, while staying in close contact with Rubio through direct WhatsApp exchanges in Spanish.
The arrangement underscores how Maduro’s capture has evolved from a one-off U.S. military success into an extended American hand in governing Venezuela.
With the U.S. managing Venezuela from afar, is this a democratic transition or a modern-day viceroyalty?
The U.S. now partners with a once-sanctioned leader. What does this mean for its anti-corruption goals?
A soldier profited from a secret mission. How secure are America's most classified military operations?
Venezuela 2026: U.S. Intervention, Oil Revenue Management, and the Struggle for Democratic Transition
Overview
As of July 2026, the United States holds strong influence over Venezuela’s government and economy, following a U.S. operation that deposed Nicolás Maduro in January. The Trump administration justified this intervention as necessary for U.S. security, with Senator Marco Rubio highlighting increased American safety. After Maduro’s removal, the U.S. quickly supported the new interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez, shaping Venezuela’s political direction and managing its oil revenues. This diplomatic realignment and economic oversight underscore the U.S. role in guiding Venezuela’s transition, while raising questions about the country’s autonomy and the future of its democracy.