Secretary of State - 101

Marco Rubio, as United States Secretary of State, joined President Donald Trump at the White House on February 2, 2026, for a major announcement on the first ever Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve. According to CNBC Television coverage of the event, Rubio stood alongside other cabinet members like Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick as Trump praised the team's work in creating this stockpile for civilian manufacturing without using tax dollars. A speaker at the event highlighted Rubio's key role in assembling industry experts and forging international partnerships, noting eleven more countries joining a global coalition for critical minerals trade, with twenty others in line. The initiative aims to secure supplies from partners like Saudi Arabia's Muhammad bin Salman and Chile, reducing reliance on foreign sources.

On Ukraine peace efforts, DD News reported on February 2 that India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Rubio in the United States by February 4 amid ongoing talks. Separately, a YouTube update from February 3 noted Rubio's recent congressional testimony where he clarified that US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will not attend the next round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in the United Arab Emirates, now set for February 3 and 4 after a delay. This follows productive Miami meetings between Witkoff and Russia's Kirill Dmitriev.

Rubio also testified before Congress last week on Venezuela operations, as mentioned in Fox News clips, tying into Trump's push for Chinese investment in Venezuelan oil fields while addressing drug trafficking concerns ahead of a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

These moves underscore Rubio's focus on economic security, diplomacy, and countering adversaries through targeted alliances.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been at the center of several key diplomatic developments in the past few days. According to recent reports from DD News, Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is visiting the United States until February 4 and is scheduled to meet Rubio amid discussions following a recent call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on trade tariffs and global issues like Iran, Russia-Ukraine, and Venezuela.

On Ukraine peace efforts, YouTube analysis from Russian media outlets notes that Rubio stated US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will not participate in the next round of talks in the United Arab Emirates, now rescheduled for February 3 and 4 after productive meetings in Miami between Witkoff and Russias Kirill Dmitriev. This highlights tensions within the administration over negotiation roles.

Rubio is set to testify before Congress on Venezuela policy, as reported by AOL, after assuring lawmakers that major actions will seek authorization. In a January 28 Senate hearing covered by AP Archive, he defended US operations there, clarifying a quarantine on Venezuelan waters is not a blockade or act of war, and stressed the need for broad representation in Venezuelas politics for prosperity and alliance with America. He noted improved cooperation from interim authorities in seizing shadow fleet ships carrying illegal oil.

Domestically, tensions rose during the hearing when Senator Cory Booker challenged Rubio on ending Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, per Economic Times reports. Meanwhile, Morning Sun details Rubios presence at a White House cabinet meeting on January 29 amid a partial government shutdown debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

On Cuba, Caribbean Council reports that Trump signed an executive order on January 29 allowing Rubio to impose tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba, a move Cubas government strongly condemned.

These actions underscore Rubios focus on Americas interests in Latin America and global hotspots.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday about United States policy toward Venezuela. According to ABC News, Rubio defended the Trump administrations January 3 military operation that ousted and captured former President Nicolas Maduro, calling it a targeted success that removed a major national security threat. He stressed that America is safer now and highlighted good and decent progress in stabilizing the country just four weeks later.

Rubio explained a new arrangement allowing Venezuela to sell sanctioned oil, with revenue deposited into a United States Treasury controlled account. The State Department reports that monthly budgets submitted by Venezuelan authorities will be approved by Washington to fund essentials like policing and health care, ensuring benefits reach the people. ABC7 News notes that interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, Maduros former vice president, has cooperated by releasing over 266 political prisoners since January 8 and establishing respectful communication channels.

The former Florida senator ruled out imminent further military action, though he said the president reserves the option for self defense if threats emerge. ABC News reports Rubio pointed out that since Maduros removal, no illegal shadow fleet ships from Russia or Iran have approached Venezuela, with interim authorities now helping identify them. Committee Chairman Jim Risch praised the brief operation involving only 200 troops and a 27 minute firefight, while Democrats like Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized it as trading one dictator for another amid ongoing economic woes.

Rubio also addressed broader concerns, suggesting NATO needs reimagining with allies stepping up obligations, and expressing hope for change in Cuba without committing to action. The State Department notified Congress this week of plans to send personnel to Caracas ahead of possibly reopening the United States Embassy.

These developments mark key steps in United States Venezuela relations under Rubios leadership.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, defending the Trump administration's military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd. According to Rubio's testimony, the operation eliminated what he characterized as a major U.S. national security threat operating in the Western Hemisphere. Rubio told senators that America is now safer and more secure as a result of removing Maduro, who faces federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. court.

During the hearing, Rubio outlined the administration's three-part strategy for Venezuela moving forward. The first objective is stability, which he noted has been achieved so far without triggering civil war or mass migration into Colombia. The second goal involves working with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez to establish a functioning government that meets the needs of Venezuelan citizens. The third objective is ultimately creating what Rubio described as a free, fair, prosperous, and friendly Venezuela.

Rubio explained that the administration has created a mechanism allowing Venezuela to sell oil currently subject to U.S. sanctions, with revenue deposited into an account controlled by the U.S. Treasury. Venezuelan authorities submit monthly budgets for approval, and the funds are designated for basic government services like policing and healthcare. Rubio noted that Venezuela has pledged to use a substantial portion of these funds to purchase medicine and equipment directly from the United States, a significant shift from previously receiving such supplies entirely from Russia.

The Secretary of State reported that cooperation from Venezuela's interim authorities has been strong. According to ABC News reports on the hearing, Rodriguez has agreed to release political prisoners, with approximately 266 freed since January 8th and estimates suggesting up to 2,000 total releases.

When pressed by Democratic senators about potential future military action, Rubio stated that the U.S. currently has no imminent plans for further military operations. However, he did not completely rule out force, noting that President Trump reserves the option in self-defense should Venezuela deteriorate. According to ABC News coverage, Rubio said the president would only consider military action if an imminent threat emerged that the administration does not currently anticipate.

The hearing revealed sharp disagreement between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans supporting the operation as a legitimate exercise of presidential power while Democrats condemned it as exceeding executive authority. The State Department has also notified Congress of plans to send additional diplomatic personnel to Caracas to prepare for possible reopening of the U.S. Embassy, which closed in 2019.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making headlines with his dual role as national security adviser, a position not held simultaneously since Henry Kissinger in the 1970s. WGBH News reports that all eyes are on Rubio as he prepares to testify before lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday about Venezuela's future, marking his first public comments since the stunning capture of former President Nicolas Maduro. A White House official described Rubio's three-phase plan for Venezuela: first stabilization to prevent chaos, then recovery with access for American companies, and finally transition, drawing lessons from Iraq to avoid hasty elections.

Rubio's influence extends globally. Fox News notes that on January 22, he joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Junior in announcing the United States withdrawal from the World Health Organization, fulfilling a Trump campaign promise via Executive Order 14155. In Davos on the same day, Newsflare footage shows Rubio speaking at the signing of the Board of Peace charter, an expanded initiative for conflict mediation that includes Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others, coinciding with phase two of the Gaza ceasefire.

Security talks continue too. KJZZ reports that Rubio's team met Mexican officials in Washington this week on drug trafficking, following the transfer of 92 high-impact cartel prisoners to the United States and the arrest of former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding linked to the Sinaloa cartel. On religious freedom, a new Senate bill codifies Rubio's December policy barring visa issuance to violators, as announced by Senator James Lankford's office.

Rubio also addressed Greenland's strategic value in countering China and Russia, according to Mirror Now coverage. Today, the State Department schedule confirms he is at the White House for meetings and briefings.

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