Secretary of State Marco Rubio controls Venezuela’s finances, making him the effective viceroy of the South American nation. 

“Mr. Rubio has become the de facto viceroy of Venezuela, holding sway over a sovereign nation in a way that no American official has since Paul Bremer III arrived in Baghdad in 2003 to run US-occupied Iraq,” The New York Times reported on Saturday after speaking with several US and Venezuelan officials. “Mr. Rubio now effectively controls Venezuela’s finances, the distribution of its natural resources and its government.”

Washington gained significant control in Caracas after conducting a raid that resulted in the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro in January. The White House claimed that Maduro and his wife were arrested on gun charges. 

After Maduro was removed from Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez became the interim leader. President Donald Trump said at the time that Rodríguez would only remain in power if she complied with Washington’s demands. Sources speaking with The Times said that Rubio maintains control over Caracas from Washington by keeping in regular contact with Rodríguez via WhatsApp. 

US officials say Rodríguez has complied with every demand the White House has made. They added that Rubio will determine when the next election in Venezuela is held. 

Washington is controlling Caracas by handling Venezuela’s finances. When Venezuela exports products, the money is collected by Washington and distributed to Caracas. The Times described the relationship between the US and Venezuela as “parents handing out allowances to children.”

Rubio is also selecting what Venezuelans are allowed to trade with other nations and what Maduro-era officials are allowed to remain in Rodríguez’s administration. Rodríguez appealed to Rubio to ease control over Venezuela after two recent earthquakes killed over 4,400 people, but he refused.