Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other leading Republicans distanced themselves from comments made by Donald Trump suggesting the U.S. would govern Venezuela during a transitional period, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio defended the U.S. operation that led to Maduro and his wife being brought to the U.S. to face federal criminal charges.

Rubio made multiple appearances on U.S. political programs Sunday morning to address the controversy surrounding the operation, which took place early Saturday. Critics have called the operation illegal, and the White House has not clarified how the U.S. would administer Venezuela.

During an interview on ABC, Rubio was repeatedly asked to confirm whether the U.S. would assume control of Venezuela. He stated that the U.S. has leverage over the country but stopped short of saying the U.S. would run Venezuela.

The capture of Maduro follows years of strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, marked by U.S. sanctions and accusations of Maduro's authoritarian rule. The U.S. has long accused Maduro's government of corruption, human rights abuses, and undermining democratic institutions.

The situation in Venezuela has been dire for years, with widespread shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities. Millions of Venezuelans have fled the country, creating a regional refugee crisis. The U.S. has been a vocal critic of Maduro's government and has supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president in 2019.

The legal basis for the U.S. operation to capture Maduro remains unclear. Experts in international law have questioned the legality of the action, citing concerns about sovereignty and the use of force. The White House has yet to provide a detailed justification for the operation.

The future of Venezuela remains uncertain. With Maduro in U.S. custody, the country faces a power vacuum. It is unclear who will lead the country in the interim and what form a transitional government might take. The U.S. has called for free and fair elections, but the path to achieving that goal is fraught with challenges.