Rubio testifies on Venezuela as Trump honors forces behind Maduro raid

In a January 28, 2026 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered sharp testimony regarding U.S. policy toward Venezuela’s interim leadership. In his prepared remarks, Rubio warned that while the Trump administration does not intend to use additional military force, it remains “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation” if diplomatic means falter. He emphasized that “there is no war against Venezuela” and that U.S. troops are not deployed on Venezuelan soil. The Guardian

Rubio clarified to senators that the only U.S. military presence in Venezuela consists of Marines guarding the U.S. embassy, reaffirming that no broader operations are underway. Yet he stopped short of eliminating military action as a future option, particularly in circumstances deemed to threaten U.S. security, such as the emergence of Iranian-linked drone facilities.Stars & Stripes, CBS News

Momentum continues to build in Venezuela following the January 3 U.S. raid that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has since undertaken steps including the release of political prisoners and initiating reforms in the energy sector—moves seen by U.S. officials as key signs of cooperation. Yet Rubio maintains that tangible progress must materialize in both stability and democratic transition for the U.S. to ease pressure.Associated Press via The Guardian, Washington Post

Update

On February 14, President Donald Trump is set to travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to recognize members of the U.S. special forces involved in the operation that ousted Nicolás Maduro from power at the start of the year. According to the Associated Press, the Fort Bragg event will include First Lady Melania Trump and will honor service members who “stormed into Venezuela on the third day of the New Year” as part of the operation that led to Maduro’s capture on smuggling charges. AP via MyNorthwest

The White House’s emphasis on celebrating the mission underscores how the administration continues tying its foreign policy toward Venezuela to broader domestic and electoral themes. The Fort Bragg event comes amid Trump’s stepped-up travel to politically significant states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The president’s remarks are also expected to preview a planned March 7 gathering of Latin American leaders in Florida, intended to showcase his administration’s focus on curbing Chinese influence in the region. Officials have referred to this emerging strategy as the “Donroe Doctrine,” echoing the historic Monroe Doctrine’s assertion of U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Why this matters locally: While this unfolding of U.S.-Venezuela dynamics occurs thousands of miles away, the reverberations are not lost on southwest Washington’s ports and energy sectors. Any shifts in Venezuelan oil production or U.S. foreign policy—especially involving military sensitivity—can influence global fuel markets and regional supply chains. Tracking these developments helps Cowlitz County residents understand how international power plays may indirectly affect local energy availability and economic stability.

What to watch next: Will the interim government follow through on meaningful reforms and agree to a timeline for democratic elections? Will Congress demand stricter oversight amid reemergent executive-branch military authority? And in the absence of progress, could U.S. military options, though unplanned today, be invoked under evolving circumstances?

#Nicolás Maduro #Venezuela #Venezuelan Opposition

Published: February 6, 2026 at 4:22 am

Updated: February 13, 2026 at 6:43 pm

By: The Feed

Feb 6, 2026 at 4:22 am

Originally published

Feb 12, 2026 at 9:42 pm by Admin (1 day ago)

Content:

Edit rationale: Update formatting. Remove broken link.

Feb 13, 2026 at 2:09 am by The Feed (21 hours ago)

Title: U.S. Signals Military Pressure on Venezuela’s Interim Government—But No Troops on the Ground → Rubio testifies on Venezuela as Trump honors forces behind Maduro raid

Content:

Edit rationale: The tip reports a new development: President Trump is visiting Fort Bragg to celebrate the special forces members who conducted the January 3 raid that captured Nicolás Maduro. This represents a significant follow-up event to the previously reported military operation. The tip adds new information including: the specific purpose of the visit (to toast service members involved in Maduro's ouster), timing (Friday visit), attendance (First lady Melania Trump will also attend), political context (part of Trump's increased travel to key states ahead of midterms), and future plans (upcoming March 7 gathering of Latin American leaders in Florida). This is new information that warrants updating the existing story about the Venezuela raid.

Feb 13, 2026 at 6:43 pm by Admin (4 hours ago)

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-Deleted: In a January 28, 2026 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered sharp testimony regarding U.S. policy toward Venezuela’s interim leadership. In his prepared remarks, Rubio warned that while the Trump administration does not intend to use additional military force, it remains “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation” if diplomatic means falter. He emphasized that “there is no war against Venezuela” and that U.S. troops are not deployed on Venezuelan soil.Defense News, The GuardianRubio clarified to senators that the only U.S. military presence in Venezuela consists of Marines guarding the U.S. embassy, reaffirming that no broader operations are underway. Yet he stopped short of eliminating military action as a future option, particularly in circumstances deemed to threaten U.S. security, such as the emergence of Iranian-linked drone facilities.Stars & Stripes, CBS NewsMomentum continues to build in Venezuela following the January 3 U.S. raid that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has since undertaken steps including the release of political prisoners and initiating reforms in the energy sector—moves seen by U.S. officials as key signs of cooperation. Yet Rubio maintains that tangible progress must materialize in both stability and democratic transition for the U.S. to ease pressure.Associated Press via The Guardian, Washington PostWhy this matters locally: While this unfolding of U.S.-Venezuela dynamics occurs thousands of miles away, the reverberations are not lost on southwest Washington’s ports and energy sectors. Any shifts in Venezuelan oil production or U.S. foreign policy—especially involving military sensitivity—can influence global fuel markets and regional supply chains. Tracking these developments helps Cowlitz County residents understand how international power plays may indirectly affect local energy availability and economic stability.What to watch next: Will the interim government follow through on meaningful reforms and agree to a timeline for democratic elections? Will Congress demand stricter oversight amid reemergent executive-branch military authority? And in the absence of progress, could U.S. military options, though unplanned today, be invoked under evolving circumstances?
+Added: In a January 28, 2026 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered sharp testimony regarding U.S. policy toward Venezuela’s interim leadership. In his prepared remarks, Rubio warned that while the Trump administration does not intend to use additional military force, it remains “prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation” if diplomatic means falter. He emphasized that “there is no war against Venezuela” and that U.S. troops are not deployed on Venezuelan soil. The Guardian
+Added: Rubio clarified to senators that the only U.S. military presence in Venezuela consists of Marines guarding the U.S. embassy, reaffirming that no broader operations are underway. Yet he stopped short of eliminating military action as a future option, particularly in circumstances deemed to threaten U.S. security, such as the emergence of Iranian-linked drone facilities.Stars &amp; Stripes, CBS News
+Added: Momentum continues to build in Venezuela following the January 3 U.S. raid that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has since undertaken steps including the release of political prisoners and initiating reforms in the energy sector—moves seen by U.S. officials as key signs of cooperation. Yet Rubio maintains that tangible progress must materialize in both stability and democratic transition for the U.S. to ease pressure.Associated Press via The Guardian, Washington Post
+Added: Why this matters locally: While this unfolding of U.S.-Venezuela dynamics occurs thousands of miles away, the reverberations are not lost on southwest Washington’s ports and energy sectors. Any shifts in Venezuelan oil production or U.S. foreign policy—especially involving military sensitivity—can influence global fuel markets and regional supply chains. Tracking these developments helps Cowlitz County residents understand how international power plays may indirectly affect local energy availability and economic stability.
+Added: What to watch next: Will the interim government follow through on meaningful reforms and agree to a timeline for democratic elections? Will Congress demand stricter oversight amid reemergent executive-branch military authority? And in the absence of progress, could U.S. military options, though unplanned today, be invoked under evolving circumstances?

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Rubio testifies on Venezuela as Trump honors forces behind Maduro raid

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	Added: Update
	Added: On February 14, President Donald Trump is set to travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to recognize members of the U.S. special forces involved in the operation that ousted Nicolás Maduro from power at the start of the year. According to the Associated Press, the Fort Bragg event will include First Lady Melania Trump and will honor service members who “stormed into Venezuela on the third day of the New Year” as part of the operation that led to Maduro’s capture on smuggling charges. AP via MyNorthwest
	Added: The White House’s emphasis on celebrating the mission underscores how the administration continues tying its foreign policy toward Venezuela to broader domestic and electoral themes. The Fort Bragg event comes amid Trump’s stepped-up travel to politically significant states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The president’s remarks are also expected to preview a planned March 7 gathering of Latin American leaders in Florida, intended to showcase his administration’s focus on curbing Chinese influence in the region. Officials have referred to this emerging strategy as the “Donroe Doctrine,” echoing the historic Monroe Doctrine’s assertion of U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.