State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio touted the "tremendous leverage and control" the United States now exerts over Venezuela's oil industry and suggested Venezuela wants the oil captured in the Caribbean Wednesday by U.S. forces to be a part of its export deal with the administration.

"We are in the midst right now, and in fact, about to execute on a deal to take all the oil they have -- oil that is stuck in Venezuela," he told reporters following a classified meeting with senators on the Hill.

Rubio pointed to the tanker that was captured and said Venezuela's interim leaders are cooperating because they want to make money off of it.

"They understand that the only way they can move oil and generate revenue and not have economic collapse is if they cooperate and work with the United States, and that's what we see are going to happen," he added.

Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth were asked about the cost of the operation.

Hegseth said the question on costs was "disingenuous" because it "undermines the success of one of the most historic military missions the world has ever seen."

He also told reporters that the U.S. military is prepared to continue seizing oil tankers.

Rubio dismissed criticism from lawmakers who accuse the administration of having no plan.

"The bottom line is, we've gone into great detail with them about the planning. We've described it to them," he said of senators on the Hill. "In fact, it's not just winging it. It's not just saying or speculating it's going to happen. It's already happening."

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is demanding that the U.S. "ensure humane and dignified treatment” of Russian citizens on board the Marinera oil tanker after its seizure, according to TASS, the Russian news agency.

The ministry also said there should be no obstruction of the return of Russian citizens to their homeland and said it is closely monitoring the situation, according to TASS.

"Taking into account the information received about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the American side ensure humane and dignified treatment of them and strictly observe their rights and interests," the ministry said, according to TASS.

-ABC News' Anna Bergeava

Mexico continues to send oil shipments to Cuba but has not increased the amount of oil going to the island nation, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday.

"No more oil is being sent than what has historically been sent. There isn't any special shipment. For many years, oil has been sent to Cuba for different reasons—some are contracts, others are humanitarian aid," Sheinbaum said at a press conference Wednesday, according to Reuters.

-ABC News' Anne Laurent

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the Venezuelan government is in control, “no one else,” during a press conference Tuesday.

"There is no external agent governing Venezuela. It is Venezuela," she said in Spanish in the speech that was broadcast on state TV.

"Venezuela does not surrender. Venezuela is in active resistance. Venezuelans are a noble people, a peaceful people seeking their own path. Venezuela has shown the world what we are made of, that we have grown in strength, that we have grown spiritually to face challenges, aggression, and threats," she added.

"Personally, they threaten me, I say it, my destiny is not decided by them, it is decided only by God. That is my answer," Rodriguez said.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman