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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken on a major role in Washington's policy on Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year, overseeing key economic, political and diplomatic decisions, The New York Times reported Saturday.
Citing interviews with more than a dozen current and former officials, as well as people familiar with the U.S. and Venezuelan governments, the newspaper reported that Rubio is involved in decisions related to Venezuela's public finances, sanctions policy, energy sector and other major government matters.
Rubio remains in frequent contact with acting Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed leadership after Maduro's capture, and has been involved in discussions about senior government appointments, sanctions exemptions and foreign investment in Venezuela's oil sector.
According to the report, the U.S. Treasury Department receives revenue from most Venezuelan exports and then disburses funds to Caracas under conditions established by Rubio and his team.
This arrangement gives Washington direct influence over Venezuela's public revenues and gives Rubio leverage over Rodriguez, whose government depends on the funds to pay workers and support the national currency.
Rubio also oversees the application of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, including decisions on who can do business in the country and under what conditions.
Rubio's team drafts licenses that provide exemptions from sanctions for companies seeking to operate in Venezuela, according to the report.
The newspaper also said Rubio has worked to reshape Venezuela's oil sector and increase access for U.S. companies, while foreign investment remains central to the Trump administration's plans for the country.
The report said Rubio has maintained close contact with Rodriguez, who now leads Venezuela on an acting basis.
Rodriguez has run important government appointments by Rubio, including the defense minister.
Rubio encouraged Rodriguez to remove Maduro's family members and business partners from positions of influence after she began setting up her government.
The Trump administration has defended the arrangement as part of an effort to stabilize Venezuela and rebuild cooperation with Caracas.
Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, said in a statement quoted by The Times that "with renewed cooperation and sound economic stewardship, Venezuela can re-emerge as a stable, prosperous partner whose citizens benefit from its vast natural wealth and strengthened ties with the United States."
The report said the U.S. has committed nearly $400 million in aid and deployed 900 military personnel to help Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on June 24.
The death toll from the earthquakes has risen to 4,333, with 16,740 injured and thousands still displaced amid widespread destruction.
Rubio said after the earthquakes that the disaster had complicated his stated objective of supporting an eventual return to democracy in Venezuela.
The Times reported that before the earthquakes, U.S. officials said they were working to open Venezuela to international investment as part of broader stabilization efforts.
The earthquakes delayed negotiations for new oil contracts.
The U.S. role in Venezuela has drawn criticism from opponents, who argue that it gives Washington extensive influence over the country's governance while delaying a democratic transition, according to the report.
The Times said critics accuse the U.S. of exerting control over Venezuela's resources and leaving many figures from Maduro's former political structure in place.
Rubio's approach marks a shift for a politician who has long presented himself as a supporter of democracy in Latin America.
Rubio has said his goal is an eventual democratic transition in Venezuela.
The report said no timetable has been announced for free elections, leaving the timing of a political transition uncertain.
Millions of Venezuelans are calling for new elections, while investors remain cautious about placing capital in the country.
Maria Corina Machado, the exiled opposition leader, remains Venezuela's most popular politician, according to the report, but U.S. officials have refused to help her return to Venezuela after the earthquakes out of concern over unrest.
The newspaper said the timing of free elections remains undefined, making Venezuela's political transition uncertain.
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