Rubio also connected the Gaza developments to broader U.S. foreign policy, citing previous actions taken against Venezuela. He criticized Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro as the country conducted municipal elections, which the United States and international observers deemed illegitimate. Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. stance that Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela and highlighted ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to restore democratic governance.
As part of these efforts, the U.S. military has been ordered to target vessels originating from Venezuela that transport narcotics, aiming to disrupt illegal exports heading toward the United States.
Rubio framed both situations — Gaza and Venezuela — as evidence of a commitment to protecting human life and upholding democratic principles abroad. He credited Trump’s leadership for establishing the frameworks and coalitions necessary to engage with complex international crises and emphasized that ensuring safety and accountability remains a top U.S. priority.
The Secretary of State stressed that, despite challenges, progress in negotiations with Hamas demonstrates that coordinated international diplomacy, even under contentious circumstances, can produce meaningful outcomes for hostages and the broader region.
