Trump is the wrong man to try and double cross and America’s enemies are going to have to learn that the hard way.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently addressed concerns regarding the Trump administration’s stance on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. During an appearance on “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” Rubio dismissed claims that the Trump administration was giving legitimacy to Maduro’s regime after U.S. Special Envoy Ric Grenell visited Caracas in late January. The visit, which included a meeting with Maduro, resulted in the return of six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela. Additionally, the Maduro government agreed to accept deported Venezuelans, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who had illegally entered the United States.
Rubio was quick to point out that under international law, Venezuela has an obligation to accept citizens who are unlawfully present in another country. He emphasized that the Maduro regime had previously halted deportations as a means of pressuring President Biden. “They wanted to blackmail Joe Biden into making concessions,” Rubio explained. “Donald Trump is not someone who will be blackmailed by dictators like Maduro.” Rubio’s comments came in response to concerns that the visit might signal U.S. support for a regime that is widely seen as authoritarian.
The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, especially after the contested 2024 election, which saw him claim a third term despite widespread accusations of election fraud. Rubio, echoing statements from former State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel, reaffirmed that Maduro’s grip on power does not reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. “He is a brutal dictator,” Rubio declared. “He allows Iran and China to operate freely within Venezuela, threatens regional stability, and has flooded the U.S. with dangerous gang members.”
Rubio also highlighted that while Maduro remains a significant threat to U.S. interests, the administration under Trump is committed to addressing these challenges head-on. President Trump recently reaffirmed this stance by announcing the termination of Chevron’s oil license in Venezuela. The move aimed to cut off one of the financial lifelines sustaining Maduro’s regime. On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “We are reversing the concessions that Joe Biden made to Maduro regarding oil deals and electoral conditions. Maduro has failed to meet his promises, and we will no longer allow his actions to go unchecked.” The Trump administration’s tough stance on Venezuela shows that the fight against authoritarian regimes continues to be a top priority for America’s national security.