Washington, D.C., January 29, 2026 – The Europe Today: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated his testimony on Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee concerning the highly controversial U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, media reports said.
Rubio defended the January 3 mission, describing it as a “strategic” necessity rather than an act of war, and emphasised its significance for U.S. national security. He characterised Venezuela under Maduro as a “base of operation for virtually every competitor, adversary and enemy in the world,” citing alleged ties with countries such as Iran, Russia and Cuba.
Addressing lawmakers, Rubio argued that Maduro’s continued rule posed a direct strategic risk to the United States and its neighbours in the Western Hemisphere, including Colombia and countries in the Caribbean basin. “It was an untenable situation, and it had to be addressed, and now the question becomes what happens moving forward,” he said.
Rubio outlined what he described as a three-phase U.S. strategy for Venezuela, with the ultimate goal of achieving a “friendly, stable, prosperous Venezuela — and democratic.” He defended the Trump administration’s engagement with officials surrounding Maduro, including interim President Delcy Rodríguez, as part of efforts to stabilise the country.
The hearing also saw Rubio assert that Washington does not currently foresee further military action in Venezuela. He sought to reassure senators that the United States is “not postured and do not expect to take military action,” though he declined to rule out future measures if the situation warranted.
The former Florida senator faced questioning from members of both parties, amid growing congressional scrutiny over the legality of the operation and the extent of executive authority. Rubio’s testimony marks the first public congressional hearing on the Maduro capture since the controversial mission.
The Senate committee session also touched on the broader geopolitical implications of the U.S. approach to Venezuela and its potential effects on regional stability. Lawmakers raised concerns about transparency, costs and long-term strategy, underscoring deep divisions over the policy moving forward.
