Related videos:
The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, publicly reacted this Thursday to the wave of memes that went viral on social media following the expansion of his responsibilities, including addressing the crisis in Venezuela.
"Normally, I do not respond to online rumors, but I feel the need to do so at this moment," Rubio wrote in a brief message, originally in English and shared on his X network.
In an ironic tone, he clarified that he will not be a candidate for the vacant positions of head coach (HC) or general manager (GM) of the Miami Dolphins, referencing jokes that placed him in charge of multiple responsibilities unrelated to foreign policy.
The Cuban-American directly referenced the situation of the Miami Dolphins, who dismissed Mike McDaniel on Thursday after four seasons at the helm of the team.
"Although we can never know what the future holds, at this moment I must focus on global events as well as the valuable archives of the United States of America," added the head of U.S. diplomacy, before expressing gratitude for the attention received.
Currently, Rubio serves as Secretary of State, acting National Security Advisor, acting National Archivist, and is also now overseeing the situation in Venezuela.
The official's comment on his social media platform X comes after a meme went viral regarding his increasing responsibilities, following President Donald Trump's announcement that senior officials from his administration, led by Rubio, would be "at the forefront of the situation" in Venezuela during the political transition process after the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users portrayed the Cuban-American senator as if he were simultaneously the president of Venezuela, the "governor" of Cuba, and even a leader of such disparate territories as Iran, Greenland, or the state of Minnesota.
Other publications took the satire further, attributing positions at sports institutions like Manchester United and hotel chains like Hilton.
Digital humor reflected the confusion of many internet users regarding Trump's rhetoric and the increasing role attributed to Rubio.
In recent interviews, the Secretary of State has sought to clarify those statements, insisting that the United States does not intend to govern Venezuela or other places, but rather to exert influence through diplomatic pressure and economic measures, such as controlling oil trade.
The viral spread of satirical content about political leaders is not a new phenomenon, but it tends to intensify in contexts of high geopolitical tension.
In this case, the combination of the operation in Venezuela, President Trump's statements, and Rubio's prominent role sparked thousands of reactions and reignited the debate about the influence of the United States on the global stage.
Filed under: