Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Sunday that the recent US military operation in Venezuela was focused on curbing drug trafficking, not waging war against the country. Rubio's statements came in the aftermath of an operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. According to Kuwait News Agency, Rubio clarified during an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press" that the objective of the mission was to dismantle drug trafficking organizations. He stated, "We are at war against drug trafficking organizations, not a war against Venezuela." The Secretary of State further indicated that holding elections in Venezuela would be considered premature at this stage, emphasizing the US's priority on national safety and prosperity. Rubio reiterated his stance in a recent press conference alongside President Donald Trump, asserting that the operation was a law enforcement action rather than the commencement of a war. Rubio also addressed concerns a bout the need for congressional approval for the military action, stating, "We will seek congressional approval for actions that require congressional approval -- and this is not an operation that required congressional approval." Meanwhile, Venezuela's Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court assigned Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to serve as acting president due to Maduro's absence.
