Rubio Signals Potential Ground Invasion: U.S. Oil Embargo on Venezuela to Remain Until "Total Change"

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified the pressure on Caracas Sunday, stating that the Trump administration is "not ruling out the use of ground troops" in Venezuela. Speaking to CBS, Rubio emphasized that the widespread military presence in the Caribbean will persist alongside a rigorous oil embargo. He argued that Venezuela's oil revenues have been systematically looted, necessitating a complete overhaul of the sector to serve both American interests and the Venezuelan people.

Rubio clarified that Washington’s conflict is "with narco-trafficking organizations, not with the people of Venezuela." He expressed expectations for a radical shift in oil management and a definitive end to drug smuggling. This rhetoric coincides with the arrival of deposed President Nicolas Maduro in New York, where he and his wife are set to face a federal judge in Manhattan, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. efforts to reshape the region.