WATCH: Vance denies reports that Gabbard was left out of Venezuela operation planning

Key Concepts

• Venezuela Operation: A covert operation undertaken by the US government regarding Venezuela, details of which were kept highly classified.
• Senior Cabinet Level Officials: High-ranking government officials involved in the planning and execution of the Venezuela operation.
• White House Principals: Key advisors and leaders within the White House administration.
• National Security Interests: The objectives and concerns related to the security of the United States, driving US policy towards Venezuela.
• Tulsi Gabbard: Former Director of National Intelligence, subject of reports regarding her exclusion from operation planning.

Operational Secrecy and Team Cohesion

The Vice President directly refuted reports suggesting both their exclusion and Tulsi Gabbard’s exclusion from the planning stages of the operation concerning Venezuela. The core assertion is that these reports are “false.” A key emphasis is placed on the operational security surrounding the initiative. The operation was deliberately restricted to a “very tight” circle of “senior cabinet level officials and related officials” within the US government. This deliberate limitation of access was maintained “for a very long time,” and the Vice President expressed “pride” in this aspect of the operation, framing it as evidence of effective teamwork. This suggests a high degree of compartmentalization and a need to control information flow.

Role and Responsibilities Regarding Venezuela

The Vice President’s future role in Venezuela is explicitly defined as being entirely dependent on the President’s direction: “My role is going to be whatever the president asks me to do.” Currently, this role is described as “very involved.” Specifically, the Vice President chairs meetings “every other day” with “White House principals” to discuss “next steps” related to Venezuela.

The stated objectives of these ongoing discussions are twofold: first, to “ensure that Venezuela’s stable,” and second, to ensure the “new Venezuelan government actually listens to the United States and does what the United States needs it to do under our country’s best interests.” This phrasing highlights a clear expectation of compliance from the Venezuelan government and prioritizes US national security interests. The Vice President commits to continuing this level of involvement “so long as the president asks me to do.”

Addressing Allegations & Internal Dynamics

The denial of Gabbard’s exclusion is significant. The Vice President’s statement, “That’s completely false,” directly counters claims that her past expressed concerns regarding military intervention in Venezuela led to her being sidelined. This suggests a potential internal debate or differing viewpoints within the administration regarding the approach to Venezuela, and the Vice President’s response aims to present a unified front. The emphasis on being “all part of the same team” reinforces this message.

Strategic Objectives & US Interests

The core strategic objective regarding Venezuela, as articulated, is not simply stability, but a Venezuelan government that is responsive to US needs and aligned with US interests. The phrase “does what the United States needs it to do under our country’s best interests” is a direct statement of US foreign policy goals, prioritizing US influence and control. This implies a proactive approach to shaping the political landscape in Venezuela, rather than simply observing or reacting to events.

Notable Quote

“We’re all part of the same team, and one of the things that is really amazing about that operation is that we kept it very tight to the senior cabinet level officials and related officials in our government, and we kept this operation secret for a very long time.” – Vice President, emphasizing operational security and internal cohesion.

Synthesis:

The Vice President’s statements reveal a highly controlled and secretive US operation concerning Venezuela, driven by a clear prioritization of US national security interests and a desire for a compliant Venezuelan government. The emphasis on team cohesion and the denial of reports regarding exclusion from planning suggest an effort to present a unified front and manage internal dynamics. The Vice President’s role is entirely at the President’s discretion, but currently involves significant and frequent engagement with key advisors to shape the future of US-Venezuela relations.