Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to warn Congress that the Trump administration is prepared to take further military action against Venezuela if its interim leadership fails to meet United States expectations. In his testimony, Rubio will defend recent controversial moves, including the raid to capture former President Nicolás Maduro and ongoing strikes against suspected drug smuggling operations, while rejecting accusations that these actions violate the Constitution.

Rubio will emphasize that the United States is not at war with Venezuela and that there are no troops on the ground, framing recent operations as support for law enforcement. He will also highlight the administration's efforts to normalize relations with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has begun to comply with United States demands, including releasing political prisoners and opening Venezuela's energy sector to American companies.

Congress remains divided over the administration's approach, with Democrats raising concerns about executive overreach and Republicans largely supporting the measures. Legal challenges have also emerged following deadly strikes on suspected smuggling boats. Meanwhile, the State Department has notified Congress of plans to reopen the embassy in Caracas, signaling a potential step toward restoring diplomatic ties.