US Secretary Marco Rubio Emerges as De Facto Leader of Venezuela from Washington

According to an extensive investigation by The New York Times, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively become the most powerful figure in Venezuela, managing the country’s affairs remotely from Washington. The report, based on interviews with over a dozen senior officials familiar with developments in both Washington and Caracas, reveals that since the US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro six months ago, Rubio has assumed a role described by US officials as "Viceroy" of Venezuela. This unprecedented influence over a sovereign nation is compared to the authority held by L. Paul Bremer in post-invasion Iraq in 2003.

Rubio reportedly controls Venezuela’s financial system, including the distribution of state revenues, with the US Treasury receiving most of the country’s oil export income before reallocating it through Venezuela’s banking system. The New York Times likens Rubio’s control over these funds to parents managing an allowance for their children. He also oversees the enforcement of US sanctions, decides which companies receive exemptions to operate in Venezuela, and prioritizes American firms over European ones in the oil sector.

Central to the US-Venezuelan relationship is Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy who currently serves as Venezuela’s interim leader. Rubio and Rodríguez maintain direct and frequent communication via WhatsApp in Spanish, exchanging birthday greetings, gossip, and selfies. However, the relationship is not equal; it reflects the power imbalance following US dominance over Venezuela. Rubio influenced the formation of Rodríguez’s government, encouraging her to remove Maduro’s family members and close associates from power, and she consults him on senior appointments, including the defense minister.

US influence extends to Venezuela’s foreign policy. After a US strike on Iran, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Iván Gil issued a mild condemnation which the Trump administration demanded be withdrawn, signaling Venezuela no longer independently sets its foreign policy. Rubio also personally pledged full US aid following recent earthquakes in Venezuela, with American rescue teams deployed within days.

Rubio outlined a three-phase US plan for Venezuela: economic recovery, state stabilization, and transition to democratic governance. Despite this, the initiative faces sharp criticism. Opponents accuse the US of exploiting Venezuela’s resources and allowing many of Maduro’s regime figures to retain power. Even some American diplomats, Venezuelan-Americans, and Trump allies express concern over Rodríguez’s continued leadership. The plan’s success hinges on attracting foreign investment, but investors remain wary due to the oil sector’s condition, political uncertainty, and earthquake damage. Nonetheless, former President Donald Trump expressed optimism, suggesting Venezuela could one day become the "51st state" of the US.