Overview
- Testifying Jan. 28, the secretary of state said the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, there are no troops on the ground, and force remains an option if interim leaders defy U.S. objectives though he said further action is not anticipated.
- He said revenue from licensed Venezuelan oil sales will be routed to a U.S. Treasury‑controlled account and released for basic services under U.S. approval.
- The State Department has notified Congress it will send additional personnel to Caracas to prepare for a possible reopening of the U.S. Embassy.
- Senators in both parties pressed for legal justifications and fuller briefings on the raid and ongoing maritime strikes, after narrowly failed war‑powers bids in both chambers and a Senate tie broken by Vice President J.D. Vance.
- Acting President Delcy Rodríguez remains in place and in contact with U.S. officials, while reported casualties from boat strikes—at least 126 since September—and a wrongful‑death lawsuit add legal and humanitarian pressure.