Secretary of State - 101

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.

Thank you listeners for tuning in, and please remember to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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.

Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe for more updates on international diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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.

Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Please subscribe for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been at the center of several major developments this week. On January 22, he spoke in Davos, Switzerland, during the signing ceremony for the charter of the Board of Peace, an international body announced alongside President Donald Trump. Anadolu Agency reports that the initiative started as a way to oversee the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction but now aims to mediate global conflicts, with participants including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye, Hungary, Morocco, Pakistan, Indonesia, and others. The board coincides with phase two of the Gaza ceasefire, which paused a war that killed over 71,000 and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023.

That same day, Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior issued a joint statement announcing the United States withdrawal from the World Health Organization, fulfilling President Trumps executive order. Fox News and the Contagion editorial team note the move criticizes the organization for mishandling COVID-19 information and prioritizing politics over health.

Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, faces scrutiny over Venezuelas future following the January 3 capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation. WGBH reports he will testify before lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday about his three-phase plan: stabilization to prevent chaos, recovery with U.S. market access, and eventual transition. Critics like former adviser John Bolton question if he can handle both roles effectively, while a White House official praises the streamlined approach. Lawfare Media highlights congressional concerns that the administration misled lawmakers on the strikes.

Today, the State Department schedule shows Rubio attending meetings and briefings at the White House. Recent U.S.-Mexico security talks in Washington also addressed drug trafficking after prison transfers of cartel members, per KJZZ.

Listeners, thank you for tuning in and please subscribe for more updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked the 51st anniversary of the Cuban backed terror bombing at New York City's Fraunces Tavern on January 24, 1975. According to the Center for a Free Cuba, the attack by Puerto Rican FALN terrorists killed four people and wounded about fifty others. Rubio posted on X that the illegitimate Cuban regime continues to harbor William Guillermo Morales, the bomb maker behind the savage crime. He honored the victims and vowed the United States will pursue justice. Joseph Connor, son of victim Frank Connor, thanked Rubio and joined family members and Frank Calzon, former executive director of the Center for a Free Cuba, at a private observance in the tavern.

New legal documents unsealed on January 24, as reported by The Intercept, reveal Rubio targeted students like Mahmoud Khalil and Yunseo Chung for deportation over pro Palestinian protests and writings. The records from the Department of Homeland Security and State Department show no evidence of material support to terror groups like Hamas, but focused on their advocacy creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. Despite First Amendment concerns noted in memos, Rubio publicly called them Hamas supporters on X.

Rubio commented on President Trump's Board of Peace initiative for Gaza, launched January 22. Reuters reports he said the board with a one billion dollar membership fee would ensure the peace plan is fulfilled and serve as a model elsewhere. Pax Christi International criticized it on January 23 for excluding Palestinians, pay to play membership, and bypassing United Nations mechanisms.

On January 21, a lawsuit named Rubio, the State Department, and others in Smith versus U.S. Agency for International Development, per Clearinghouse.net. The State Department spokesperson also extended wishes for Australia Day on January 26.

Earlier this month, Jacobin noted Rubio warned Cuba to make a deal amid U.S. pressure following Venezuelan events.

Thank you listeners for tuning in and please subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI