New York Times alleges US Secretary of State controls Venezuelan state functions
A report published by the New York Times suggests Washington has assumed direct control over Caracas’ government and natural resource distribution, a claim scrutinised by foreign policy experts.
A report published by the New York Times alleges that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio exercises effective control over Venezuela’s government, finances, and natural resource distribution. The allegations centre on the premise that this authority was established following the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the Latin American nation.
The claims were examined on FRANCE 24’s program *A propos*, where host Monte Francis interviewed Christopher Sabatini, the Director of Chatham House’s Latin America program. The discussion focused on the implications of the New York Times’ reporting, which suggests that US diplomatic leadership has moved beyond traditional influence to direct management of Venezuelan state operations.
The report positions the capture of Nicolas Maduro as the pivotal event enabling this transfer of control. According to the allegations, the US Secretary of State now oversees the distribution of the country’s natural resources and manages its financial systems, effectively replacing the previous administration’s authority with Washington’s directives.
These political developments follow a period of severe natural disaster in late June 2026. On 24 June, two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela near Moron, west of Caracas. The seismic activity prompted Acting President Delcy Rodriguez to declare a state of emergency, with initial reports citing 32 deaths and 700 injuries.
In the aftermath of the earthquakes, international aid was pledged by the United States, China, and Spain. The US Geological Survey confirmed the revised magnitudes of the quakes, noting the first at 7.2 and the second at 7.5. The convergence of natural disaster and the subsequent political allegations has drawn intense scrutiny from international observers and policy analysts.
The factual accuracy of the capture of Nicolas Maduro and the extent of US control remain unverified in the provided source material. The allegations are presented as part of a specific journalistic report and discussed by a single analyst, rather than constituting a confirmed policy statement or officially recognised diplomatic arrangement.
The discussion on FRANCE 24 highlights the growing interest in how external powers may be reshaping governance in Venezuela. As the situation evolves, the distinction between reported allegations and verified geopolitical shifts remains a critical point of analysis for observers monitoring the region’s stability.
