Sen. Marco Rubio said the "status quo" with Nicolás Maduro's government is "intolerable" as the Trump administration announced additional sanctions on Maduro's relatives. The Treasury Department targeted the president's sister-in-law and relatives tied to Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, following last week's sanctions on three nephews. The administration frames the measures and a series of lethal maritime strikes as part of an anti-drug effort, but critics warn of escalation, legal concerns, and humanitarian costs. Lawmakers are also pressing for clarity on whether Congress will be notified before any further military action.
Rubio: 'Status Quo' With Maduro 'Intolerable' As U.S. Imposes New Sanctions On Relatives
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during an end-of-year press conference in the State Department Press Briefing Room in Washington, DC on December 19, 2025. - Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. Marco Rubio on Friday called the "status quo" with President Nicolás Maduro's government "intolerable" as the Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions targeting members of the Venezuelan leader's family.
U.S. Response: Sanctions and Military Pressure
The Treasury Department unveiled sanctions that focus on Maduro's sister-in-law and relatives linked to Carlos Erik Malpica Flores — the latest measures in a campaign that has already targeted three of Maduro's nephews. Administration officials say the mix of financial penalties and military pressure is aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that they contend benefit the Venezuelan leadership.
Rubio's Remarks
"It is clear that the current status quo with the current Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States," Rubio said, accusing the Maduro government of not merely cooperating with criminal or terrorist groups but of "partnering with and participating in activities that threaten the national interest of the United States."
Rubio added that the administration "reserves the right and has the right to utilize every element of national power to defend the national interest of the United States," framing the actions as an effort to change that dynamic.
Military Strikes and Political Pushback
U.S. military forces have conducted dozens of lethal strikes against vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, operations officials contend have killed more than 100 people. Those strikes have drawn intense scrutiny from members of Congress, who question their legality and the human cost.
In a separate NBC interview the same day, President Donald Trump did not rule out the possibility of war with Venezuela and earlier announced a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuelan ports. Neither President Trump nor Sen. Rubio has committed to notifying Congress in advance should the administration pursue actions that could be characterized as acts of war — a point of concern for some lawmakers.
Recent Sanctions Timeline
Last week the administration sanctioned three of Maduro's nephews, including the widely publicized so-called "narco-nephews" who received clemency in October 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange. One nephew, Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, was sanctioned for his ties to the Venezuelan government. The new measures expand the scope to additional family members and associates alleged to support the Maduro regime's illicit activities.
State Department Statement: "Maduro and his cronies have devastated Venezuela's economy and continue to threaten our region's stability. The Trump Administration is committed to disrupting the network of individuals who prop up Maduro and his regime." — Tommy Pigott, Deputy Spokesperson
Critics, however, argue the combined policy of sanctions and military action risks escalation and may blur the stated objective of combating narcotics versus an effort that could amount to regime change. Questions remain over oversight, humanitarian impacts, and the long-term strategy for restoring stability in Venezuela.
