US’ Rubio says Venezuela's status quo … intolerable,’ vows to change dynamic

​​​​​​​By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the current situation with Venezuela is “intolerable” for the US, stressing that the Trump administration is determined to change the “status quo.”

“It is clear that the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States,” Rubio told reporters at a news conference at the State Department.

“The status quo that they operate and cooperate with terrorist organizations against the national interest of the United States, not just cooperate, but partner with and participate in activities to threaten the national interest of the United States,” he said.

“Our goal is to change that dynamic,” he said, noting that the US does not consider the Maduro government “legitimate.”

Asked about Russia’s role in Venezuela, Rubio said, “We are not concerned about an escalation with Russia with regards to Venezuela. We have always expected them to provide rhetorical support for the Maduro regime. I think they have their hands full in Ukraine.”

His remarks came days after President Donald Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, labeling the government of Nicolas Maduro a "foreign terrorist organization."

The US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean in the last four months, carrying out 22 known strikes on vessels that are alleged to be involved in drug trafficking, killing at least 87 people since attacks began in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean in early September.

The standoff escalated when US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast Dec. 10, an act Caracas branded "international piracy."

The Trump administration said its actions are aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks, while Venezuelan officials accuse Washington of using anti-narcotics operations as a pretext to unlawfully remove Maduro from power and seize control of the country’s oil resources.