US runs Venezuela finances six months after Maduro capture

• Marco Rubio is described as overseeing Venezuela's interim administration from Washington.
• US Treasury is managing Venezuela's public revenues and economic disbursements.
• Recent earthquake relief has expanded the US military and aid presence in Venezuela.
• Critics question US influence over Venezuela's governance and the lack of a timetable for elections.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively seized control of Venezuela's finances, natural resources, and governance from his office in Washington, according to a report conducted by the New York Times.

His expansive grip on the country offers a vivid manifestation of American power in the Trump era, six months after US commandos captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a midnight raid.

Rubio has become the de facto viceroy of Venezuela. While he has not visited the country in person since the US takeover, he is deeply involved in day-to-day operations.

He maintains constant contact with Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president who now leads the nation on an acting basis with the approval of the United States.

Treasury holds state revenues

Direct control over public revenues distinguishes Washington's influence in Caracas from other nations beholden to American financial power.

The US Treasury receives the revenue from most Venezuelan exports and disburses it back through the country's banking system.

Rubio and his team set the explicit conditions on what that money can be spent on and by whom.

This system has allowed Rubio to halt major corruption schemes.

It also protects the Venezuelan government from creditors seeking repayment for billions of dollars in unpaid debt.

However, the arrangement gives Rubio immense leverage over Rodríguez, who relies on the funds to pay public workers and stabilize the national currency.

Oil sector reshaped

Rubio oversees the application of US sanctions, deciding who can conduct business in the country.

He has worked to reshape the oil sector, boosting the access of American firms at the expense of European oil producers.

Under his direction, Venezuela's state oil company has quietly seized oil projects co-owned with Russia's state-run Rosneft.

Rodríguez runs major government appointments past Rubio, including the selection of the minister of defense.

The acting Venezuelan government has also delivered significant security concessions to Washington.

In February, Rodríguez detained and extradited billionaire Alex Saab to the United States.

In June, her administration provided intelligence that allowed U.S. forces to eliminate Tren de Aragua gang leader Niño Guerrero in a remote missile strike.

Earthquakes complicate transition

Two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela last month, flattening entire neighborhoods.

In response, the United States deployed 900 military personnel, committed nearly 400 million dollars in aid, and delivered crates of cash.

While Rubio acknowledged the disaster is a setback for a democratic transition, stabilizing the country remains critical to the ultimate goal of securing Venezuelan oil for US interests.

The arrangement folds into a broader return to American expansionism under President Trump, who has repeatedly suggested that Venezuela could become the 51st state.

However, the strategy carries severe risks. Critics accuse the United States of siphoning resources and propping up an authoritarian regime by leaving Maduro's enforcers in place.

Election timeline remains dark

Rubio has distanced himself from exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado, choosing instead to bypass her in favor of Rodríguez to avoid stoking domestic unrest.

The timeline for free elections remains completely undefined. When asked about a vote, Rodríguez stated she did not know.

Political analysts suggest she may be trying to run out the clock on the Trump presidency, but the final decision rests in Washington.