The New York Times said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become the 'de facto ruler' of Venezuela from the capital Washington, as he practically controls the country's financial affairs, distribution of its natural resources, and management of its government, in an unprecedented influence for a US official since the United States took over the administration of Iraq after the US invasion in 2003.

According to the newspaper, Rubio's grip on Venezuela is a clear embodiment of the nature of American power under President Donald Trump, as Washington has come to wield broad influence over a sovereign state after the operation that overthrew Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last January.

Trump was sitting in the Oval Office earlier this year with his secretary of state when an idea occurred to him: the possibility of sending Rubio permanently to Caracas, where US commando forces carried out the operation that the US president considered the greatest foreign policy achievement of his second term, after arresting Maduro.

Trump hinted that Rubio could be the next leader of Venezuela, and while the president's aides say he was joking, and that he often teases Rubio about giving him an overseas assignment, the truth is that the US secretary of state does not need to move to Caracas because he already runs Venezuela from Washington, according to the newspaper.

In the six months following US forces breaking into Maduro's bedroom at midnight and arresting him, Rubio has become the 'de facto ruler' of Venezuela, imposing his influence over a sovereign state in a way no US official has since L. Paul Bremer III arrived in Baghdad in 2003 to administer Iraq, which was then under US occupation.

Control over money, resources and government

According to interviews conducted by The New York Times with more than 10 officials and individuals close to the governments of Washington and Caracas, Rubio now practically controls Venezuela's finances, distribution of its natural resources, and its government, and the sources provided details on his role in directing the country's policies. Many of them requested anonymity to discuss private communications and internal discussions.

Although he has not personally visited Venezuela since the United States took control, US Secretary of State Rubio is deeply involved in managing the country's daily affairs and maintains close contact with Delcy Rodriguez, who was Maduro's deputy and now leads the country on an interim basis with US approval.

Rubio and Rodriguez exchange messages in Spanish via the WhatsApp application, including side conversations, birthday greetings, and personal photos.

But despite this cordial relationship, the relationship between Rubio and Rodriguez is not a partnership, according to the newspaper, but rather an embodiment of American power under Trump, where the victorious side gets everything regardless of sovereignty and international law.

For his part, Rubio downplayed his role in Venezuela and largely avoided discussing the nature of his work in the country, and also rejected several requests from the newspaper for an interview.

Tommy Pigott, spokesman for the US State Department, said in a statement: 'Through renewed cooperation and sound economic management, Venezuela can return to being a stable and prosperous partner, whose citizens benefit from its vast natural wealth and enhanced relations with the United States.'

The New York Times explained that direct control over Venezuela's public revenues represents an exceptional case in Washington's influence, compared to most other countries subject to the influence of its military and financial power.

The US Treasury receives revenues from most of Venezuela's exports, then gradually distributes them to the country through private Venezuelan banks, in a relationship that, according to the newspaper, resembles parents giving their children a fixed allowance. Rubio and his team set the conditions on how this money is spent and who can use it.

Financial influence

This system allows the US secretary of state to halt many corruption operations in Venezuela, and also provides some benefits to the Venezuelan government, which uses the de facto protection provided by the US Treasury to obtain revenues without being pursued by the many creditors seeking to collect billions of dollars in unpaid debts.

But this arrangement also gave Rubio enormous leverage over Rodriguez, who relies on this money to pay workers' wages and support the national currency.

Rubio also oversees the implementation of US sanctions imposed on Venezuela, and determines which entities can do business in the country and the nature of these activities.

The US secretary of state has worked to reshape the oil sector and enhanced access for US companies. For her part, Rodriguez submits important government appointments to him before approval, such as the appointment of the defense minister.

Strengthening the interim government

Since two earthquakes struck Venezuela last month, Rubio has sought to support the transitional government in the country.

The United States sent 900 military personnel to Caracas, pledged aid of nearly $400 million, and delivered shipments of cash to the Venezuelan government.

But those earthquakes complicated Rubio's stated mission to restore democracy to Venezuela, as the US secretary acknowledged last month that it 'represents a setback in this regard.'

However, the country's ability to recover is crucial to achieving Trump's ultimate goal: securing Venezuelan oil to serve US interests.

Return to the era of American expansion

The New York Times described this arrangement as highly unusual, as it comes 80 years after the United States gave up its last major official colony, the Philippines.

But Trump made clear he wants to return to the era of American expansion, after talking about the possibility of taking control of Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal.

The US president has achieved his greatest successes in this path within Venezuela, but the matter involves risks, as Trump's critics accuse the United States of draining Caracas's resources and supporting an authoritarian government by largely keeping Maduro's aides in their positions.

This arrangement also ties the United States to the fate of an unelected system that lacks broad popularity and faces increasing demands for political change.

During a congressional hearing in February, Democratic Representative Sean Casten, addressing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, said: 'Secretary Rubio has stated that we are not at war with Venezuela.'

Casten questioned the authority the United States has to control Venezuela's assets. Bessent replied that he would provide an answer later.

The starkly realist approach Rubio adopts in Venezuela represents a sharp shift for a man who spent his political career presenting himself as a defender of democracy in Latin America, as he stated that his goal is ultimately to achieve a democratic transition in the country.

The outcome of the American experiment in Venezuela could be an influential factor in Rubio's political future, at a time when Trump is considering who might succeed him.

Make Venezuela Great Again

In the early hours of January 3, shortly after Maduro's arrest, Rubio contacted Rodriguez by phone.