It’s in Venezuela’s interest to co-operate with US, Rubio says in heated testimony

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Democrat Senator Chris Murphy is next, and he’s critical of the operation, describing the attempts to stabilise Venezuela through managing its oil funds as “destined for failure”.

He then sets out three questions for Rubio.

First, he asks Rubio to commit that companies who bid to sell Venezuelan oil will be chosen through a “fair, open selection process”.

Second, if current interim leader Delcy Rodríguez is still in power six months from now, does that mean the US policy has been a success or failure? he asks.

Thirdly, he asks Rubio about comments that the US reserves the right to use force again in the future. What would cause this, and do you accept that you might need congressional approval?

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In answering, Rubio says first that Venezuela was experiencing oil storage issues. This is why two companies were selected in the short term very quickly, he says.

On the second question Rubio says he can’t give a timeline, but says “we have to be much further along” in six months’ time.

Finally, on the third question, the secretary of state says Trump never rules out his options, but clarifies the administration does “not intend or expect to have to take any military action in Venezuela at any time”.