New Delhi, Jan. 28 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Trump administration stands ready to use force if Venezuela's interim leadership does not fully cooperate with Washington on key strategic priorities.

"We are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail. it is our hope that this will not prove necessary," Rubio said.

Rubio stressed that, while the United States is not at war with Venezuela and has no troops on the ground, the administration expects continued alignment with US demands following the January 3 operation that led to the capture of then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Rubio outlined what he described as central US objectives for Car...