"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday the United States is not at war with Venezuela, adding that the U.S. is "running policy" in Venezuela not with troops on the ground but through financial leverage on the remaining allies of former-President Nicolas Maduro. "We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest," Rubio said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press."
"Since September, U.S. forces have struck at least 35 alleged drug boats, killed at least 115 people on board and seized oil tankers near Venezuela. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., echoed Rubio in calling for a pressure campaign against Maduro's allies who still control the country. Cotton specifically named interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro. "They have control of the military and security services," Cotton told CNN. "We have to deal with that fact.""
The United States is not at war with Venezuela and is directing policy there through financial leverage on allies of Nicolas Maduro rather than deploying ground troops. U.S. influence is being enforced through an oil quarantine imposed by naval vessels near Venezuela's coast and through military support to the Coast Guard to enforce sanctions. Since September, U.S. forces have struck alleged drug boats, killed people on board and seized oil tankers near Venezuela. A pressure campaign against remaining Maduro allies is being pursued, with Delcy Rodriguez specifically targeted and warned of severe consequences if she does not cooperate.
Read at www.npr.org
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