US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's influence over Venezuela is claimed to extend to critical areas from public finances to sanctions. The New York Times reported, based on interviews with more than ten officials and sources close to the two governments, that Rubio has become a central figure in Venezuela policy.
The report alleges that Venezuela's export revenues are first transferred to the US Treasury Department, and then these funds are channeled to the Caracas government under conditions set by Rubio and his team. Rubio is claimed to hold a decisive position on the country's sanctions policy, energy sector, and other key government decisions.
The US Secretary of State is said to be in frequent contact with Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed the interim presidency after President Nicolas Maduro was detained. Rubio is also noted to be involved in senior government appointments, sanctions waivers, and foreign investment negotiations for Venezuela's oil sector.
Background
On January 3, explosions and aircraft sounds were heard in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, and the Venezuelan government accused the US of attacking civilian and military facilities.
US President Donald Trump announced that a large-scale attack had been carried out against Maduro and that Maduro and his wife had been taken out of the country.
Then-US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that charges had been filed against Maduro and his wife for "narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices against the US."