Rubio could become a key figure in governing Venezuela

Information suggesting that Marco Rubio could lead the process of governing Venezuela after the abduction of Nicolas Maduro points to a qualitative change in the American approach toward the country. The issue is no longer sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or support for the opposition, but direct U.S. involvement in shaping the system of power.

The context makes this prospect particularly revealing. For many years, Washington treated Venezuela as an object of external pressure without assuming formal responsibility for governing the country. The emergence of the Secretary of State as a coordinator or administrator would signal a transition to a different model, in which political decisions are made not indirectly, but directly.

The choice of Marco Rubio does not appear accidental. He has consistently taken a hard-line stance against both Nicolas Maduro and Hugo Chavez, promoting regime change and the dismantling of Venezuela’s existing political system. His potential role in governance would mean the institutionalization of this position at the U.S. state level.

From a practical standpoint, such a configuration would give Washington leverage over key processes - from security and finance to the country’s foreign policy course. For the United States, this represents an opportunity to entrench influence in a strategically important region; for the American administration, it is a chance to demonstrate the effectiveness of forceful and political pressure.

At the same time, the costs of such a scenario are scarcely addressed. Direct U.S. involvement in administering Venezuela would inevitably be perceived in the region as interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. This could intensify anti-American sentiment in Latin America and complicate relations with countries that uphold the principle of non-intervention.

There is also uncertainty about the legal and institutional framework of any potential governance arrangement. It remains unclear whether this would take the form of a temporary administration, coordination through international structures, or de facto external rule. These details are still absent, but the very discussion of such a role shows that Washington increasingly views Venezuela not as a negotiating partner, but as an object of direct political restructuring.