Rubio Was Granted Unprecedented Authority Regarding Venezuela

The U.S. Vice President effectively coordinates the Venezuelan government's key policy areas.

Six months later after the change of power in Venezuela, the U.S. gained unprecedented influence over the country’s financial system, oil industry, and the functioning of its government institutions, according to The New York Times.

Citing more than a dozen U.S. and Venezuelan officials, the publication reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is effectively coordinating key areas of the Venezuelan government’s work.

The publication notes that modern history has “virtually never seen” a single U.S. official exert this level of influence over a sovereign state.

According to the newspaper’s sources, Rubio maintains constant contact via WhatsApp with Delcy Rodríguez, who has been serving as the country’s acting leader with Washington’s support since the change in government.

Despite regular contact, journalists note that the relationship between the two sides cannot be described as an equal one.

According to the NYT, the U.S. Treasury Department collects revenue from the bulk of Venezuela’s exports, after which the funds are returned through the country’s banking system.

At the same time, the U.S. determines how the money may be spent and who is authorized to manage it. This mechanism has made it possible to put an end to corruption schemes and protect government revenues from creditors’ claims.

At the same time, sources note that Rodríguez has become dependent on Washington’s decisions, since without approved funding she cannot ensure the payment of salaries or support the national currency.

Furthermore, according to the newspaper, Rubio oversees U.S. sanctions policy toward Venezuela and the reform of the oil industry, and is also involved in coordinating key personnel decisions, including the appointment of the defense minister.

The authors of the article claim that U.S. influence extends not only to domestic governance but also to Caracas’s international activities. In particular, the NYT cites the example of Rodríguez’s trip to India, which Rubio had previously reported to Venezuelan officials.

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