US Senator Rick Scott warns Venezuela's Cabello over rescue interference

US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) has issued a stern warning to Venezuelan officials, demanding that all humanitarian aid for earthquake victims remain under US supervision and that rescue operations proceed without interference. In a series of posts on X, Scott stated that 'anyone who gets in the way of that, including Diosdado Cabello, will be held accountable and face consequences' Source: elnacionalve.

Aid supervision

Scott insisted that no US funds should go to the government led by Delcy Rodríguez, calling it a 'brutal and corrupt regime' Source: elcolombiano. He urged that all resources remain under US oversight. The US State Department confirmed ongoing support, including specialized search teams and medical aid Source: elcolombiano.

Rescue operations and friction

Scott's comments came after an exchange between Cabello and a US rescuer in La Guaira. The senator stressed that international teams must be allowed to work unimpeded to save lives Source: abces. Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado accused the government of restricting airspace to block her return and aid flights, though authorities denied this and a Spanish rescue group later confirmed they had authorization Source: elcolombiano.

What's next

Despite tensions, aid flights continue arriving from countries like Vietnam. The US has mobilized resources under President Trump's administration, but Scott's warnings highlight ongoing distrust between Washington and Caracas over disaster relief.