JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US does not plan to take further military action in Venezuela, although he defended the Trump administration's latest operation that led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.
"I can say with full certainty that at this time we are not in a position, do not intend, or expect to take any military action in Venezuela at any time," Rubio told lawmakers in a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, January 29.
Rubio said the only planned US military presence in the country was a guard of marines at the US Embassy in Caracas.
"The president has never ruled out his options as commander in chief to protect the national interests of the United States," Rubio added.
He stressed that the use of force would only be an option if there was an immediate threat, such as the emergence of Iranian drone facilities that threatened US forces.
Rubio said President Donald Trump acted on Jan. 3 to remove what he called a major threat to U.S. national security in the Western Hemisphere, referring to the military operation that led to Maduro's arrest.
The minister also rejected the notion that Maduro's arrest was an act of war and said Washington always "has the right to act in its national interest and to protect itself."
"We're not going to turn this around overnight, but I think we're making good and worthy progress," Rubio said, stressing that the US is in a better position in Venezuela today than it was four weeks ago.
He emphasized that Washington's goal was a democratic transition and wanted Venezuela to have a legitimate democratic election, as well as a free, just, prosperous, and friendly future.
"At one time, Venezuela before (Hugo) Chavez was a strong ally of the United States, and we hope to return to that point. We haven't gotten there yet. This process is still in its early stages," he added.
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