The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively become a steward managing Venezuela's affairs, resources, and finances from Washington.

These reports come at a time when US-Venezuelan relations have been increasingly tense since the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro.

The report, which conducted interviews with more than 12 officials and sources close to the Trump administration and interim President Rodríguez, indicates that Rubio controls affairs despite not having visited Venezuela since the military operation that led to Maduro's arrest last January and his transfer to New York to face charges of 'drug terrorism'.

Nevertheless, Rubio is intensively involved in managing Venezuela's daily affairs, maintaining constant communication with President Rodríguez in Spanish via WhatsApp, after building a friendly working relationship with her. He has gained significant influence over Rodríguez.

Rubio has downplayed his role in Venezuela, denying accusations of occupation. In his testimony before the Senate in January, he said: 'There is no war against Venezuela, and we have not occupied any country. There are no US troops on the ground.'

US forces carried out their lightning military operation in Venezuela at a time when President Trump expressed his desire to return to an expansionist foreign policy, proposing the idea of annexing Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and, most importantly, Venezuela to the United States.

An American helicopter flies over a Venezuelan port (EPA)

Three-Pronged Plan

Rubio's plan includes three steps to revive Venezuela and transform it into a democratic system. He affirmed that his plan so far consists of reviving Venezuela's economy, achieving stability in the country, and transitioning to democracy.

Before the earthquakes that killed more than four people this month, he stated that he was in the process of achieving stability in Venezuela, specifically through a set of economic and commercial measures.

The US Treasury Department withholds revenues from most of Venezuela's exports and distributes them through private banks in the country. Rubio and the US State Department directly control the revenues, set spending conditions, and determine the permissible expenditure items for the Venezuelan government.

This system has enabled Rubio to halt massive corruption schemes in Venezuela. It has also allowed the Venezuelan government to collect revenues without being pursued by creditors seeking payment, under the protection of the Treasury Department.

Consequently, Rodríguez relies on Rubio to pay government employees' salaries and support the country's economy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands behind President Donald Trump as he speaks to the media at the conclusion of his participation in the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara on July 8 (Reuters)

Rubio also oversees the implementation of US sanctions imposed on Venezuela and decides which entities are allowed to do business in the country. He has worked to restructure the oil sector and enhanced the access of US companies to Venezuela.

The American newspaper quoted sources as saying that Rubio took the lead in efforts to open Venezuela's energy sector to foreign investment, bypassing his colleague US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

In return, Rodríguez carries out most of Rubio's orders. She manages most high-level government appointments, hands over Venezuelans who have run afoul of the US Justice Department, and allows him to set foreign policy.

For example, at the start of the war with Iran, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil issued a watered-down statement condemning the war. The Trump administration asked Rodríguez to delete the post. Indeed, the post was deleted a few hours later.

In another prominent example, Venezuela took over management of oil projects with the Russian state-owned company Rosneft after Rubio warned Rodríguez against dealing with US adversaries.

In another example of Rodríguez's subordination to the Trump administration, she refused to appear publicly at some events without Trump's approval. Fox News had asked Rodríguez for an interview. She responded that Trump himself must approve.

The New York Times detailed the circumstances of Rubio gaining such strong authority since last January, when Rubio contacted Rodríguez. He told her in Spanish that she had two options: either cooperate with the US government or watch the United States launch a broader attack on Venezuela. Rodríguez chose the first. Trump said that Rodríguez told Rubio she was 'completely ready to do what we consider necessary to make Venezuela great again.' Since then, US officials have given Rubio the title 'Viceroy,' a title once given to provincial governors in the Spanish colonial empire.

Rubio's growing role reflects a shift in US foreign policy toward Latin America under Trump. Observers believe this move could lead to geopolitical changes in the region, especially as the economic and political crisis in Venezuela continues.