‘Viceroy’ of Venezuela: Rubio runs Caracas with total deference from interim president - report

Lead

Since the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, Washington has emerged as the de facto center of power for the South American nation, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly exercising day-to-day control over the country's affairs. According to reports from The New York Times, as cited by the Jerusalem Post, Rubio has been running Venezuela from Washington, holding immense power over interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed office after Maduro's capture. The arrangement has drawn criticism from experts who see it as a move toward colonial administration, with Venezuela described as a US "protectorate in all but name."

Coverage Comparison

The coverage of this story varies across outlets, with differing emphases and attributions. ABC Australia highlights the economic and humanitarian consequences of US control, noting that more than half of Venezuela's population lives in extreme poverty and that the country has been in a severe economic depression for 13 years. The report also underscores the opacity of the financial arrangements, with recent estimates suggesting the US has collected more than $13 billion from Venezuelan oil sales, a figure President Trump has suggested is even higher.

The Jerusalem Post focuses on Rubio's personal role, detailing his frequent communication with Rodríguez via WhatsApp and his control over Venezuela's finances and natural resources. The report notes that while Rubio has a warm working relationship with Rodríguez, sources emphasize the power imbalance, with Rubio holding ultimate authority. The Jerusalem Post also references Rubio's three-step plan to reinvigorate Venezuela, which includes economic recovery, stabilization, and a transition to democracy.

TASS — English provides two distinct angles. One report quotes President Trump describing Venezuelan oil as a "trophy" won by the United States, with Trump boasting that "to the victor belong the spoils." Another TASS article quotes Trump as stating that US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is "running Venezuela," though this claim appears to be contested, as other reports attribute that role to Rubio.

Key Claims

• US control over Venezuela's finances and export revenue: Multiple reports agree that the US has taken control of Venezuela's finances and export revenue. ABC Australia and the Jerusalem Post both report that the US has collected over $13 billion from Venezuelan oil sales, with Trump suggesting the figure is even higher.

• Rubio's role in governing Venezuela: According to the Jerusalem Post, citing The New York Times, Rubio is heavily involved in the day-to-day running of Venezuela, controlling finances, government, and natural resources. He communicates regularly with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and sets conditions on how public funds can be spent.

• Rodríguez's dependence on the US: Both ABC Australia and the Jerusalem Post report that Rodríguez is dependent on the US for financial support and follows Rubio's instructions. ABC Australia notes that Trump made clear after the raid that Rodríguez could face the same fate as Maduro if she did not bow to US pressure.

• Trump's statements on Venezuela: TASS — English reports that Trump described Venezuelan oil as a "trophy" and stated that the US and Venezuela together hold 60% of the world's oil and gas reserves. Another TASS report quotes Trump as saying that "the actual governance of Venezuela is currently being carried out by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright," a claim not echoed in other reports.

• Capture of Maduro and his wife: TASS — English reports that US forces captured Maduro and his wife in a military operation in Caracas on January 3, and that they appeared before a US federal court on January 5 on drug trafficking charges, to which they have pleaded not guilty.

• Venezuela's humanitarian crisis: ABC Australia reports that Venezuela is facing a severe economic depression and humanitarian crisis, worsened by catastrophic twin earthquakes in June that killed over 4,000 people.

Perspectives

US Administration: President Trump has characterized the US relationship with Venezuela as positive, stating at a Washington event that "we have a great relationship with Venezuela, and the people are happy in Venezuela right now." He has also boasted about the financial benefits, claiming that Venezuela is "making more money... than they've ever made before" and that the US is "entitled" to its share.

US State Department: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has downplayed his role in Venezuela's governance, telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in January that "there is no war against Venezuela, and we did not occupy a country. There are no US troops on the ground."

Venezuelan Government: Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has not publicly commented on the reports, though sources cited by The New York Times indicate she follows Rubio's instructions and has developed a warm working relationship with him.

Experts and Analysts: ABC Australia quotes Benjamin Gedan, Latin America program director at the Stimson Institute, who says "the decision-making seems highly concentrated in Marco Rubio's office in the White House." Some experts have labeled Venezuela a US "protectorate in all but name," viewing the arrangement as a move toward colonial administration.