The United States has rejected claims that it is at war with Venezuela, saying its actions are limited to enforcing a sweeping oil quarantine and carrying out law enforcement measures aimed at curbing drug trafficking, foreign influence, and what it considers risks to US national security.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the remarks during multiple interviews on Sunday, according to an official statement.
He said Washington is exerting what he described as “crippling leverage” through sanctions and court-approved seizures of Venezuelan oil shipments as part of efforts to pressure authorities in Caracas.
Rubio said the approach followed the recent arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were taken into U.S. custody in what he characterised as a narrowly focused law enforcement action rather than a military operation.
According to Rubio, the United States is implementing a quarantine on Venezuelan oil, giving U.S. authorities the power to seize sanctioned vessels entering or leaving Venezuelan waters.
“What we are running is the direction this is going to move,” Rubio said, emphasising that Washington is not occupying Venezuela but influencing outcomes through economic pressure.
He accused Venezuela of serving as a centre for drug trafficking, armed criminal groups, and foreign actors such as Iran and Hezbollah, which he said represent a direct threat to the United States and the wider region.
Addressing questions about the legality of the actions, Rubio said U.S. courts had approved the seizures.
“These are sanctioned boats. We go to court, we get orders, and we seize them,” he said, adding that the operation that led to Maduro’s arrest did not require congressional authorisation because it was a targeted law enforcement mission.
Rubio also dismissed suggestions that Washington is “running Venezuela,” maintaining that U.S. actions are limited to policies intended to safeguard American interests.
He confirmed that there are no U.S. troops stationed in Venezuela, apart from a short operation lasting a few hours during Maduro’s arrest. He added that President Donald Trump retains all military options but has not ordered an occupation or long-term deployment.
“We are not at war with Venezuela. We are at war with drug trafficking organisations,” Rubio said.
The Secretary of State outlined conditions under which U.S. pressure could be reduced, including dismantling drug trafficking networks operating through Venezuela, removing Iranian and Hizballah influence, and reforming the oil sector so revenues benefit ordinary citizens rather than what he described as corrupt elites.
Rubio said the United States would assess Venezuelan authorities based on concrete actions rather than public rhetoric.
“We are not reacting to press conferences. We are reacting to what happens,” he said.
While confirming that Chevron remains the only U.S. oil company currently operating in Venezuela, Rubio said Western firms could return if meaningful reforms are carried out. He noted that refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast are well suited to process Venezuelan heavy crude and that a restructured oil industry could generate income for the population.
On demands for immediate elections, Rubio said such expectations were unrealistic after years of political turmoil, reiterating U.S. support for a democratic transition while stressing that security and national interest concerns are the immediate focus.
“Our number one objective is America, but we want a better future for the people of Venezuela as well,” he said.
