Venezuela Has a 'Viceroy,' and His Name Is Rubio

Marco Rubio may sit in Washington, but a New York Times investigation argues that he is effectively governing Venezuela from afar. Reporters Tyler Pager and Anatoly Kurmanaev make the case that Rubio "has become the de facto viceroy of Venezuela, holding sway over a sovereign nation in a way that no American official has since L. Paul Bremer III arrived in Baghdad in 2003 to run US-occupied Iraq." The arrangement began hours after US forces captured Nicolas Maduro six months ago. Rubio, speaking in Spanish, called Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, and warned her that she could either work with the US or face massive military repercussions, according to the story. Rodriguez opted to cooperate. As a result, Rubio's clout is now evident in everything from the economy to political appointments.

For example, US authorities collect most of Venezuela's export revenue, then release funds under conditions Rubio's team sets, giving him leverage over everything from public payrolls to the exchange rate. He also weighs in on key Cabinet appointments, polices sanctions, steers lucrative oil deals toward US firms, and even influences what Rodríguez, the interim leader, posts online. Supporters say his tight grip has curbed corruption and stabilized a collapsing state, though critics see a quasi-colonial arrangement that keeps an unelected, unpopular regime in place while Washington secures oil and strategic influence. For the detailed picture of how this unusual experiment in 21st-century intervention is working, read the full story.