Jan. 28 (UPI) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify on the United States’ military operations in Venezuela before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
Rubio will join the committee for a hearing at 10 a.m. EST. Senators will seek greater details about U.S. attacks on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.
Rubio will tell the Senate that the United States expects Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez to cooperate, his prepared opening statement says. If there is not “maximum cooperation” from Rodriguez, Rubio warns the United States is prepared to use force.
“Rodriguez is well aware of the fate of Maduro; it is our belief that her own self-interest aligns with advancing our key objectives,” Rubio’s opening speech reads.
Democrats and several Republicans have voiced their concerns about the Trump administration’s operations and plans for Venezuela.
Rubio is expected to rebuke claims that the U.S. operations in Venezuela are an act of war.
The Senate mulled a war powers resolution that would have forced the executive branch to receive congressional authorization to continue hostilities in Venezuela. The resolution failed on a tied vote last week.
Last month, Rubio assured Republican Senators that the United States would not use military force in Venezuela. On Jan. 3, it launched the military operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.