In remarks that underscored a perceived shift in American priorities under President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted what he termed “catastrophic vetting failures” during the transition period following former President Joe Biden’s administration.
During an interview on Tuesday night, Rubio asserted that the current administration is putting “America First” decisively in the Western Hemisphere by ramping up pressure on Venezuela’s narco-state and tightening scrutiny of Afghan arrivals. He argued there was no reason U.S. naval power should be problematic when operating close to home, especially given what he described as Nicolas Maduro regime being a transshipment organization for cocaine and other drugs headed toward America.
Rubio noted that President Trump has explicitly authorized a counter-drug mission in the region, highlighting Maduro’s apparent threat as evidence of this renewed focus. He stressed that federal charges filed by the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office accusing Maduro and top allies of narco-terrorism were ignored until Trump took decisive action.
The administration is simultaneously backing an intensified maritime campaign against suspected drug-smuggling vessels tied to Venezuela. This effort has faced scrutiny from Democrats who have demanded more transparency regarding its operation. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, according to Rubio, supports this strategy.
Rubio further warned that Venezuela serves as an underreported “foothold” for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, creating a hemispheric threat due to Tehran’s hostility toward the United States. He framed Trump’s approach – characterized by being limited, strategic, and focused – as precisely where national security initiatives should be directed.
The Secretary acknowledged that vetting processes cannot be perfect but emphasized the need for caution regarding potential radicalization among migrants, including those vulnerable to online recruitment from extremist propaganda networks. His comments align with recent reports detailing new restrictions and pauses affecting Afghan travel and processing, citing heightened security concerns as justification.
Rubio’s concluding remarks implicitly contrasted the current administration’s stance with its predecessor’s handling of sensitive transitions: “Biden got suckered” by Maduro, he suggested, while President Trump demonstrates a clear reluctance to extend similar opportunities.
