Sen. Marco Rubio told NBC's Meet the Press that the U.S. does not have "forces on the ground" in Venezuela, though he confirmed U.S. personnel were present for about two hours during President Nicolás Maduro's reported capture. Rubio said the U.S. will continue strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and framed the effort as a campaign against traffickers, not against Venezuela. About 15,000 U.S. service members remain in the region, and questions persist about leadership and stability in Venezuela as the situation develops.
Rubio: No U.S. 'Forces on the Ground' in Venezuela After Maduro's Reported Capture
US does not have ‘forces on the ground’ in Venezuela, Rubio says
(NewsNation) — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said Sunday that the United States does not have "forces on the ground" in Venezuela, addressing questions that followed reports of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's capture.
Appearing on NBC News' Meet the Press, Rubio reiterated, "We don't have U.S. forces on the ground," but acknowledged that U.S. personnel were in Venezuela "for about two hours" during the reported operation.
U.S. Military Presence and Operations
Rubio's comments come amid continued scrutiny over the scope of U.S. military activities in the region. He said the United States will continue targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, describing the effort as a campaign against transnational drug-trafficking organizations rather than an operation aimed at Venezuela itself.
"We are at war against drug trafficking organizations, it's not a war against Venezuela," Rubio said.
President Donald Trump was quoted separately as saying, "We're not afraid of boots on the ground," and asserting that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela while Maduro faces charges. Those remarks have intensified debate over Washington's role as events unfold.
Forces in the Region
Officials report roughly 15,000 U.S. service members remain deployed in the Caribbean after strikes on targets linked to Venezuela on Saturday. Rubio emphasized that continuing operations against drug-smuggling vessels is a priority while U.S. diplomats and analysts assess the changing situation on the ground.
The developments have raised questions about who is exercising authority in Venezuela following Maduro's reported capture and how regional governments and international partners will respond. Rubio's statements aim to clarify American involvement while leaving several operational details unanswered.
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