US secretary of state pushes for Venezuela transition in OAS call

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has engaged the Organization of American States (OAS) as a key forum to shape the political future of Venezuela following a dramatic military intervention. In a call with OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin, Rubio stressed the importance of a "judicious transition of power" in Caracas, according to a readout from the State Department, signaling a shift from military action to diplomatic orchestration.

Leveraging Regional Diplomacy After Military Action

The diplomatic outreach represents an effort to legitimize and structure the next phase of U.S. involvement in Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Secretary Rubio "reiterated the importance of the OAS as a forum for Member State-driven engagement" to support a proper political transition. He praised the organization for providing a space for "open exchange and constructive dialogue" and underscored the need to keep it focused on addressing the challenges facing the Venezuelan people, reinforcing the secretariat's role in supporting hemispheric stability.

Context of US Control and Transition Plans

The call comes directly on the heels of President Donald Trump's declaration that his administration would "run" Venezuela and its valuable oil assets during a transition period following the military raid that apprehended Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. By engaging the OAS, the U.S. appears to be seeking a veneer of multilateral cooperation for what is fundamentally a unilateral policy of regime change and temporary control. The term "judicious transition" suggests a desire to manage the process carefully amid international criticism and regional concern over U.S. overreach.

Navigating Regional Reactions and Building Legitimacy

The U.S. move to involve the OAS is a tactical one, aimed at mitigating backlash from Latin American nations that have condemned the military operation as a violation of sovereignty. By framing the next steps through a regional body, Washington hopes to garner broader support and shared responsibility for Venezuela's political restructuring. However, the approach faces skepticism from member states wary of U.S. dominance and the precedent set by the military intervention, challenging Rubio's effort to present the transition as a collective, hemisphere-driven endeavor.