Marco Rubio Softens Claim About Use Of Force In Venezuela, Says U.S. Doesn't 'Expect To Take Military Action'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio softened a claim about the U.S. being ready to use force to "ensure maximum cooperation" from the interim regime in Venezuela, saying that while he didn't rule out such a scenario, the administration "does not expect" it.

Speaking during a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said that a strike would be detrimental to the U.S.'s long term strategy to stabilize the country and achieve a democratic transition.

The remark stands in contrast with a previous one about the U.S. being ready to "use force" to achieve its goals for the South American Country, noting that the administration will "never shy away from our duty to the American people and our mission in this Hemisphere."

In another passage of the hearing, Rubio said the Trump administration's end goal in the country is the restoration of democracy. "What's the end state? We want a Venezuela that has legitimate democratic elections," he said.

Rubio rejected giving a specific timeline for such a scenario but claimed that there has been "substantial progress" in the weeks since Maduro was captured. "We have to be, and we expect to be, much further along in six months," he said.

The hearing took place as another report has raised doubts about whether Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, will cooperate with the Trump administration by cutting ties with adversaries such as Iran, China and Russia.

Reuters noted that demands include expelling diplomats of said countries from Venezuela, but the regime has not taken steps to do so. Intelligence reports claimed it is not clear if she is fully on board.

The report comes after Rodriguez called on the U.S. to stop interfering in its internal affairs. "Enough with the orders," she said during a public appearance during the weekend.

The most recent developments stand in contrast with different reports noting that Rodriguez and other top regime officials agreed to cooperate with the Trump administration to remain in power.

• Marco Rubio And Rand Paul Spar Over Capture Of Maduro In Venezuela: 'Removed Someone Who Was Not Elected'
• Colombian President Petro Questions U.S. Trial of Maduro, Calls for Him To Be Brought Back To Venezuela: 'They Have to Return Him'

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