How Trump and Rubio Are Dominating Venezuela

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as the architect of American dominance in Venezuela, effectively controlling the country's finances, natural resources, and government appointments from Washington.

Six months after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Rubio maintains near-total oversight of Venezuelan affairs through his contact with President Delcy Rodríguez, while President Donald Trump swiftly expands American influence across Latin America through a wave of allied right-wing electoral victories.

_THE FACTS_

Following the Maduro raid, Marco Rubio told Delcy Rodríguez to cooperate with the US or face escalating military attacks. She ultimately bent the knee.
Rubio regularly exchanges messages with Rodríguez on WhatsApp about policy and personnel, and they reportedly even share gossip and selfies.
Rubio controls Venezuela's finances by routing export revenue through the US Treasury before releasing the funds back with conditions.
The US has taken in roughly $8 billion in revenue from Venezuelan oil.
US forces killed Tren de Aragua leader Niño Guerrero in June using Venezuelan intelligence — the first military cooperation between the countries in decades.
Trump-backed candidates have won all seven Latin American presidential elections since he took office.
Right-wing candidates are campaigning on "mano dura" (iron fist) platforms, promising mega-prisons, tougher policing, and closer US ties.
America now controls Venezuelan oil production, has signed trade deals with three Latin American countries, and is pursuing rare earth access elsewhere in the region.

_OUR TAKE_

Rubio’s stewardship of Venezuela represents one of the most assertive projections of American power in the Western Hemisphere in decades. The United States has acquired leverage that has directly benefited America through increased oil shipments and revenue, as well as a US-friendly government that is no longer a front for Chinese interests.

Venezuela may be Trump's greatest foreign policy victory, while the wave of right-wing victories across Latin America suggests voters are rejecting socialism and eager for closer ties with the United States.

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David Hooten4 months ago

Yes, but it needs to foster conservative social and economic values.

Terry McCall4 months ago

Yes, it's the Monroe Doctrine in action. We are safer as a nation when our western hemisphere is free from the influence of our enemies.

sharon smith4 months ago

Yes, particularly since most of those governments have been hostile to the U.S. We need friendly neighbors, without the influences of the cartels.

Photo Man4 months ago

"Do you support American power being projected in Latin America?" Sure. With all the illegals in the USA from those respective countries, it is time for the illegals to go back home.

Doug Ebbecke4 months ago

Which they may be inclined to do as their home country becomes more like the USA and the main reason they left.
Any improvement in Latin America is a step in the right direction.

Kevin Babb4 months ago

Yes for the sake of the people of Venezuela to again benefit from the country’s rich resources and eventually have freedom to choose.

Fred Scott4 months ago

Most certainly approve of our success in Latin America, and it's long overdue!

Jim Harmon4 months ago

Absolutely! The pervasive socialism throughout South and Central America have dictated policy to counter it. A trend toward pro-US policies and relationships is very positive. God bless Marco Rubio and President Trump.

Jorge Rios4 months ago

If the US had been paying more attention to and working closer with Latin America which are our closest neighbors, it would have benefited them and us greatly and millions of their people that have come to the US over last couple of decades may have just as well stayed there.

Laney B4 months ago

If we don't dominate there, China will. Yet the demo party will claim "colonialism".

Shaun Hurrie4 months ago

Yes indeed! As Iong as it is done with a good moral framework/seeking justice & serves the interests of the United States.

Than Johnson4 months ago

Yes. Kick Communists out. Tell Russia their influence is dead. Enforce the Monroe Doctrine. Modernize Cuba for future statehood application. Tell Putin, he’s next on the list Than

Michael H.4 months ago

I support ANY effort to rid the world of socialist/communist control. I hope at some point in the near future relations with our South American friends will create a range of opportunities for ALL with a free market and conservative values at the core.

Jim Powers 4 months ago

As long as it is controlled by a person that I agree with.

Steve Fredricks 4 months ago

Yes, indeed !

Jim Ahern4 months ago

Sure, it's never a bad thing when you can steer a formerly broken/corrupted country like Venezuela in the right direction. Real question is, will it last? If we keep allowing the parasites in our own country to keep existing in our government/agencies, let alone installing new ones, that's highly unlikely. Which leads to the ultimate question, when is the Administration going to start doling out real justice in this country? I mean Tampon Tim just pardoned a illegal alien rapist on top of allowing billions of dollars of money laundering to go on in his state knowingly. Or how bout the Wisconsin judge Dugan who recently got a slap on the wrist fine for aiding and abetting an illegal alien in attempting to escape justice?? Point is, if our so-called leadership don't get their shit together in dealing with the atrocities going on right here at home, does it really matter what's going on thousands of miles away?? Can't get much more ironic than that..

Gratefulfor Vets4 months ago

Yes it is encouraging to see more South American countries embracing capitalism and rejecting communism. It gives hope, meaning and happiness to their citizens. It makes our the US stronger and have better relations with our Latin American Neighbors too.

Michael Nelson4 months ago

Our enemies took over, and we had drugs gangs, and chaos in south America. We defeat the drug gangs, open up the oil trade, and make 8 billion dollars. Next step free elections and the return of prosperity to the Venezuelan people.

Bill Roberts4 months ago

Absolutely! Why wouldn’t you? Unless you are a socialist!

Q C4 months ago(edited)

Absolutely. I recently listened to a Michael Knowles podcast on PragerU about how the US is essentially an "empire" that has a ton of influence in the world/in other countries and we can either embrace that or let other countries like China or Russia weasel their ways in to influencing countries throughout the world. I would much rather the US and our values to be influencing other countries, especially in our hemisphere, as opposed to stepping back and allowing China and Russia to fill the vacuum left by us retreating if we were to do that