The New York Times revealed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has effectively become a 'viceroy' managing Venezuela's governmental, financial, and natural resource affairs from Washington.

These developments come amid tense relations between Washington and Caracas following the US crackdown against the former Venezuelan regime.

In a striking report based on interviews with more than a dozen government officials and sources close to the administration of President Donald Trump as well as Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Rubio—who has not set foot in the South American country since the lightning US operation that led to the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro last January and his extradition to a New York prison to face charges of 'drug terrorism'—holds sway.

Nevertheless, Rubio is heavily involved in managing Venezuela's daily affairs through his continuous contact with President Rodriguez in Spanish via WhatsApp, after establishing a friendly working relationship with her. He has gained significant influence over her.

Rubio has repeatedly downplayed his role in Venezuela. He denies accusations that the United States is occupying the South American country. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last January, he said: 'There is no war against Venezuela, and we have not occupied any country. There are no US troops on the ground.'

The US military executed its lightning operation in Venezuela at a time when President Trump expressed his desire to return to an expansionist foreign policy, floating the idea of annexing Canada, Greenland, the Panama Canal, and most importantly, Venezuela, into the United States.

A US helicopter flies over a Venezuelan port (AP)

Three-Step Plan

Rubio's plan includes three steps to revive Venezuela and transform it into a democratic system. He stressed that his plan so far focuses on reviving the economy, achieving stability, and transitioning to democracy.

Before the earthquakes that killed more than four people this month, he stated he was on track to achieve stability in Venezuela, specifically through a set of economic and trade measures.

The US Treasury Department deducts 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 permitted expenditure items for the Venezuelan government.

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

Thus, Rodriguez relies on Rubio to pay government employee 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 on restructuring the oil sector and increased access for US companies to Venezuela.

The US 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, Rodriguez carries out most of Rubio's orders. She manages most high-level government appointments, hands over Venezuelans who have run into problems with the US Department of Justice, and allows him to set foreign policy.

For example, at the start of the war with Iran, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a mild statement condemning the war. The Trump administration asked Rodriguez to delete the post. Indeed, the post was removed a few hours later.

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

In another example of Rodriguez's subordination to the Trump administration, she refused to appear publicly at some events without Trump's approval. Fox News had requested an interview with Rodriguez. She replied that Trump himself should approve.

The New York Times detailed how Rubio gained this powerful influence since last January, when Rubio called Rodriguez. 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. Rodriguez chose the former. Trump said Rodriguez told Rubio that she was 'fully prepared to do whatever we deem necessary to make Venezuela great again.' Since then, US officials have called Rubio 'the viceroy,' a title once used for provincial governors in the Spanish colonial empire.

This direct US influence through Rubio represents a notable shift in US foreign policy toward Venezuela. If this control continues, it could reshape the country's political and economic landscape. It remains to be seen how the Venezuelan interim government will handle this dependence, and whether it will lead to long-term stability or stir internal resistance.