Marco Rubio has declined to rule out future US military action in Venezuela but insisted the Trump administration did not intend to take such steps, as he faced questions from lawmakers over Washington’s unprecedented intervention. Rubio cited a hypothetical scenario of an Iranian drone factory threatening US forces in the region, but acknowledged that “military action is not good for recovery and transition”. Rubio acknowledged the administration gave no-bid licenses to two US oil trading companies to quickly move Venezuelan oil to market. Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice-president, on Tuesday said her government and the Trump administration “have established respectful and courteous channels of communication”. During televised remarks, Rodríguez said she was working with Trump and Rubio to set “a working agenda”.
