A deadly strike marks a moment in Rubio’s long desire to confront Venezuela
September 4, 2025
The deadly strike on a boat U.S. officials say was carrying drugs from Venezuela may have marked a stunning shift, but escalating pressure on the South American country has defined much of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s quarter-century in politics. He sees the South American country as a vestige of the communist ideology in the Western Hemisphere. President Donald Trump’s top diplomat has consistently pushed to oust its leader, Nicolás Maduro, advocated for sanctions and even argued for military intervention. While Trump has promised no more foreign wars, Rubio and other administration officials have warned of more operations against drug traffickers in Latin America, a shift Rubio has long sought.