Rubio: Trump Will Not Be "Suckered" by Venezuela's Maduro
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U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of trying to deceive American leaders. He stated the Trump administration will not be "suckered" by the Venezuelan regime, unlike, he implied, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Rubio, a prominent voice on Latin American policy, made the comments amid increased U.S. naval activity. American forces have recently intercepted several boats in the Caribbean suspected of smuggling drugs.
The Florida Republican linked these drug interdictions directly to Maduro's government. He characterized the Venezuelan leadership as a "criminal regime" involved in narcotics trafficking.
This criticism reinforces the Trump administration's persistent pressure on Maduro. The U.S. and dozens of other nations recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president.