WASHINGTON, D.C. December 19, 2025 – In a State Department briefing on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply condemned Venezuela’s government under Nicolás Maduro, describing it as an “illegitimate regime” that poses a direct threat to U.S. national security due to its cooperation with narco-terrorists and other adversarial groups.
“Our interest in Venezuela and in the region is the national interest of the United States,” Rubio stated, standing at the podium flanked by American flags and the State Department seal. “And in Venezuela we have an illegitimate regime that not only does not cooperate with the United States but openly cooperates with narco-terrorists and others who threaten the national security of our country.”
The remarks, shared in a video clip posted by the official @StateDept account on X (formerly Twitter), underscore the Trump administration’s continued hardline stance on Venezuela. Rubio highlighted Maduro’s refusal to engage constructively with Washington while allegedly aligning with criminal and terrorist elements that undermine regional stability.
The Biden administration had previously imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials and entities linked to drug trafficking, but the Maduro government has long denied such accusations, framing U.S. actions as interference in its sovereign affairs.
Rubio’s comments come amid ongoing U.S. efforts to isolate the Maduro regime internationally, including support for opposition figures and diplomatic pressure on allies harboring Venezuelan interests. No immediate response was available from Venezuelan officials.
The clip has garnered significant attention online, with over 63,000 views and hundreds of replies reflecting polarized opinions on U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America.
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