A Democratic congressman put U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on notice on Sunday, noting a Fox News report that showed "armed militias" in Venezuela after the U.S. mission that took out the nation's leader.
In an article called "US warns Americans to leave Venezuela immediately as armed militias set up roadblocks," the conservative outlet reported that "Armed militias known as colectivos" are "reportedly setting up roadblocks to search vehicles for evidence of US citizenship."
"As international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately," the embassy said, according to the Fox report.
Dem rep. Ted Lieu seized on that report and used it against Rubio and even Trump, saying, "Dear [White House] and [Rubio]: You are doing such a great job running Venezuela that you are now warning Americans to leave Venezuela to escape armed militias."
"And you want U.S. companies to go to Venezuela? No way they will do that," the lawmaker wrote. "Your Venezuela operation is a disaster."
Dear @WhiteHouse and @SecRubio: You are doing such a great job running Venezuela that you are now warning Americans to leave Venezuela to escape armed militias.
And you want U.S. companies to go to Venezuela? No way they will do that.
Your Venezuela operation is a disaster. https://t.co/nggMSCXaR5
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 11, 2026