WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations committee taking questions from Senators for the first time publicly since US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“It was an untenable situation, and it had to be addressed and it was addressed and now the question becomes what happens moving forward,” said the Secretary.
Committee Republicans largely praised the administration’s actions. Democrats, even though they agree with Republicans that Maduro is not good for Venezuela, the region or the US, questioned the cost and consequences of the operation.
“The US naval blockade around Venezuela and the raid have already cost American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D- NH). “Outside estimates are as high as a billion dollars and yet the Maduro regime is still in power.”
Senators also pressed the Secretary on how success would be measured for Venezuela. “That’s the end state we want: free, fair, prosperous and friendly Venezuela,” said the Secretary. “We’re not gonna get there in three weeks. It’s going to take some time.”
The hearing was also an opportunity for members to press the secretary on other foreign issues, like the administration’s plans for NATO and the President’s quest to acquire Greenland.
“Part of that strength also comes not just from having the mechanism the military might, but it also comes from the unity with our allies and to the extent to which that unity is undermined, like the talk about Greenland and antagonizing Denmark, then it undermines NATO’s ability and the only people who are excited about that are Vladimir Putin and President Xi,” said Sen. Shaheen. “Yeah, well, I would say that I think our alliances in NATO ultimately are something that’s going to work out,” responded Rubio. “Our partners understand the importance of the US presence in NATO.”
Following recent protests in Iran, Senator Dave McCormick (R- PA) asked for clarity on how many deaths there have been in Iran.
“In the thousands for certain,” responded Rubio.
