13.05.2026 10:57
The outfit chosen by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to China has sparked major controversy. Rubio's decision to wear the same tracksuit that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was wearing when he was kidnapped has drawn backlash on social media and in diplomatic circles. The visit has become even more prominent because Rubio is one of the individuals previously sanctioned by China.
The outfit chosen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Beijing became a topic of discussion in international public opinion. The fact that Rubio wore the exact same tracksuit that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was wearing when he was abducted during a U.S. operation was interpreted as a "symbolic message" in diplomatic circles.
The images, which quickly spread on social media, sparked intense debates, particularly on platforms based in China and Latin America.
MADURO REFERENCE
The gray sports outfit Rubio wore on the plane brought back to the agenda the images of Maduro that appeared in the world press during the U.S. operation in Venezuela. Since Maduro was seen wearing a similar outfit during his arrest, Rubio’s choice sparked claims of a "deliberate message."
Rubio's preference was described as "diplomatic incivility" and a "show of force."
TENSE HISTORY WITH CHINA BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Marco Rubio had been placed on a sanctions list by Beijing twice during his time as a senator due to his harsh statements towards the Chinese government. It was alleged that China technically bypassed the diplomatic obstacle by changing the use of characters in Rubio's surname, allowing the visit to take place.
Rubio's visit to China is considered one of his most notable interactions with Beijing since the sanctions.
TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Thousands of comments were made on social media as soon as Rubio's images were shared. While the sharing of the images by individuals close to the White House further fueled the controversy, some users evaluated the incident as "political satire," while others called it "diplomatic provocation."
BECAME A SUBJECT OF JOKES
Social media users compared Rubio's outfit to the "Venezuela Nike Tech" meme previously associated with Nicolás Maduro. Some users made comments like "Is he going to become a DJ?" or "Did he become a sportswear model?", while others referred to the outfit as the "Maduro fit."
POST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
A post from the White House's X account also showed Rubio and Maduro's outfits side by side.