Trump on US Actions in Venezuela: It Could Be Revenge Against Rubio

US President Donald Trump suggested that the US operation in Venezuela could be "revenge" against Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has Cuban immigrant heritage. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump was asked whether Cuba could "survive" without Venezuelan oil. Trump responded that Cuba is presumably completely dependent on Venezuela, both financially and in terms of oil supplies.

The host then inquired whether the operation in Venezuela could be "revenge" against Rubio. Trump also asserted that the US wants to help Cuba.

On January 3, the United States launched a massive strike against Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and taken to New York. President Trump announced that Maduro and Flores would be prosecuted for involvement in "narcoterrorism" and for posing a threat, including to the United States.

During hearings at a New York court, Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Venezuelan Supreme Court has temporarily appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the head of state. On Monday, Rodríguez officially assumed the role of acting president of Venezuela and took an oath before the National Assembly.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, calling for the release of Maduro and his wife, and urged preventing further escalation of the situation. Following Moscow, Beijing called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, emphasizing that US actions violate international law. North Korea's Foreign Ministry also criticized the actions of the United States.