SNAKEBITE— 1.6.25— Rubio on Venezuela's Future— Hegseth vs. Kelly— Biggs on Fraud— Oil or Justice?— Greenland, Indictments, Much More...

Rubio on Venezuela's Future

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday joined several news programs to discuss the Trump administration’s plan to ‘run’ Venezuela, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which occurred on Saturday.

When asked for details on the administration’s plans to run Venezuela, Secretary Rubio replied by affirming that the U.S. would not directly govern the nation. Instead, Secretary Rubio suggested that the U.S. would utilize the leverage gained from its oil blockade placed on the country to reach political change.

Secretary Rubio, who was once targeted for assassination by “Cartel de Los Soles” member and Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, has been deeply involved in the Trump administration’s policy towards Venezuela.

“What’s going to happen here is we have a quarantine on their oil, that means their economy will not be able to move forward... READ MORE

Governor Katie Hobbs: Thank you to our first responders and law enforcement for their swift action following the evacuation of the Arizona Supreme Court after a suspicious package tested positive for explosives. Public safety is my top priority, I'll continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure Arizonans stay informed.

AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes: The loophole created for the developers of this data center to secretly set electricity rates behind closed doors and outside of the public process is new, rare, and a dangerous recipe for massive price hikes for Arizona consumers. Press Release: azag.gov/press-release/

State Representative Eva Diaz: Can you sign my petition today? I'm running for re-election because our families need advocates to make life more affordable. If you live in LD 22, signing the petition will put my name on the ballot to run for re-election. Your support is appreciated! apps.azsos.gov/equal

State Representative Rachel Keshel: Anyone defending this dictator and his regime is absolutely ridiculous. Democrats calling this a kidnapping are selling you a load of horse. We had a perfectly legal arrest warrant to arrest this evil man and the operation to do so was amazingly flawless. Thank you to President Trump and his amazing team! PEACE THROUGH POWER!!!

State Representative Nick Kupper: I’m ready for a president born in the 70s or more recently.

State Representative John Gillette: Democrats do not support the capture of Maduro, allowing for a free Venezuela. The Churches will be packed all week. This is setting the leftist hair on fire.

State Representative Teresa Martinez: Wow! So looks like there is more to come out on Tim waltz!

State Representative Quang Nguyen: Gooood morning. Back to work. Three things I learned: 1) The only thing you can give to God is your sins. Everything else you have was given to you by Him 2) Make changes not to be a better person, but to be closer to God 3) Always remember the 11th Commandment

Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko: Thank you to Chair @KateMcGeeAZ for appointing me as Vice Chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today! We have a lot of work to do this year, and we're excited for what lies ahead!

Rubio Says US Won't 'Run' Venezuela Directly— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada—

Pete Hegseth Takes Action Against Mark Kelly Over Military Video— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is pursuing disciplinary action against Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) over a video he made with other Democratic lawmakers about military orders.

Andy Biggs Suggests Minnesota Style Fraud is in Other States— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) discussed Congress's plans to question Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and AG Keith Ellison on the ongoing welfare fraud scandal in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Bottom Line, suggesting that welfare fraud is prevalent in other states, including Arizona.

Is Maduro's Capture About National Security, Or is it About Oil? Arizona Lawmakers Split— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Arizona's congressional delegation found itself divided after President Donald Trump ordered a military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, subsequently declaring U.S. control of Venezuela's oil industry.

Trump Renews Calls to Annex Greenland After Maduro's Capture— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— WASHINGTON – A day after the U.S.’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his stance on the self-governing Danish territory, Greenland.

DOJ Releases New Indictment Against Maduro's Regime— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— NEW YORK – A U.S. Justice Department indictment was unsealed in federal court in New York, charging recently captured Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy, weapons charges, and cocaine-importation conspiracy.

President Donald Trump Declared the U.S. Will Manage Venezuela— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— Mar-A-Lago – President Donald Trump declared in a press conference held in Palm Beach, Florida, that the U.S. will run Venezuela “until such time as it can be put back on track.”

Eli Crane Slams GOP Colleagues Over Previous USAID Legislation— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) is criticizing fellow Republicans for failing to back his efforts to sharply cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following renewed attention to the agency’s role in U.S. foreign aid.

US Captures Maduro in Surprise Military Strike, Ruben Gallego Speaks Against— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— American military forces launched a surprise attack on Caracas, Venezuela's capital city, ultimately capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Saturday morning. As of now, Maduro is aboard the USS Iwo Jima, heading to New York to face drug and weapons charges in federal court.

Healthcare Subsidies Expire, Greg Stanton Warns 400,000 Arizonans— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans are facing sharply higher health insurance costs in 2026 after enhanced federal subsidies expired on January 1, leaving families scrambling to afford coverage or consider dropping it altogether.

The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.