Paul Slams Rubio Over Venezuela Policy Shift

WASHINGTON — In an increasingly sharp critique from the Senate floor, Rand Paul (R-Ky.) targeted Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tuesday, accusing him of persuading President Donald Trump that military intervention in Venezuela is necessary.

Speaking on “The Rob Schmitt Tonight Show,” Paul elaborated his strong opposition to bombing Venezuelan drug boats mid-ocean. He emphasized constitutional limitations on executive power: “The Constitution is pretty clear that war only occurs when Congress votes on it.” Paul further detailed a specific rule regarding non-combatants, stating: “We also have very clear rules in our country that say that when someone is out of combat or has been bombed into submission, if they’re clinging from the wreckage of a boat, if they are shipwrecked, if they’re hanging from a parachute… and helpless, they are no longer eligible to be killed.”

Paul framed his stance as questioning the wisdom behind attacks on vulnerable individuals. He suggested previous proponents like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had since reversed positions: “I don’t like … pinning the blame on the military,” he said, adding that such responsibility should fall on policymakers: “They have a tough job as it is.” “If someone bombed someone who was shipwrecked… that should go to the person who created the policy…”

The Kentucky senator characterized Rubio’s influence negatively, directly linking his advice to Trump’s potential decision. Paul stated: “Marco Rubio has always wanted regime change in Venezuela,” concluding: “giving him [Trump] bad advice.”

Paul also questioned broader U.S. foreign policy approaches by comparing it to interventions elsewhere and implicitly critiquing China’s leadership style. He asked rhetorically: “Should we use that kind of force… to get rid of President Xi Jinping from China?”