President Donald Trump said he instructed the U.S. to open up “all commercial airspace” over Venezuela.

Rubio said the U.S. doesn't anticipate that it will need to exert military force in Venezuela, but reserves the right to do so to protect the "national interest of the United States."

Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday approved opening the nation’s oil sector to privatization, reversing a tenet of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has ruled the country for more than two decades.

The CIA is quietly working to establish a permanent US presence on the ground in Venezuela, spearheading the Trump administration’s plans to exert its new-found influence over the country’s future, according to multiple sources familiar with the planning.

U.S. to very quickly reopen Venezuela embassy after diplomatic break since 2019, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces to Senate Foreign Relations committee.

The US Secretary of State remained robustly on message when asked about the legality of Maduro's removal, plans for oil sales, and the future of Venezuela.

Rubio said "the president does reserve the option in self defense."

By Marianna Parraga Jan 29 (Reuters) - Lawmakers approved in a final vote on Thursday a sweeping reform of Venezuela's main oil law after sweetening a proposal by interim President Delcy Rodriguez to lower taxes,