In a recent interview on “Face the Nation,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the U.S. government’s strategy regarding Venezuela following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Broadcast on January 4, 2026, the discussion focused on the implications of U.S. military options and the ongoing challenges posed by the Venezuelan regime.
U.S. Military Options and Sanctions
During the interview, Margaret Brennan questioned Rubio about President Donald Trump’s assertion that the U.S. would retain all military options, including potential ground forces, until its demands regarding Venezuela are met. Rubio clarified that the current focus remains on leveraging economic sanctions and maintaining a naval presence to curb illegal oil shipments that benefit corrupt officials rather than the Venezuelan populace.
“The key to what that regime relies on is an economy fueled by oil,” Rubio stated. He emphasized that the Venezuelan oil industry is in disrepair, with funds being siphoned off by elites within the regime. “None of the money from the oil gets to the people; it’s all stolen by those at the top,” he added. This situation has led to the enforcement of a quarantine on sanctioned oil shipments, which he believes will exert pressure for reforms that benefit ordinary Venezuelans.
Regime Change and Future Prospects
Brennan pressed Rubio on the apparent stability of Maduro’s regime, noting that key figures like Diosdado Cabello, the interior minister, remain in power despite U.S. indictments against them. Rubio responded by highlighting the complexities of conducting military operations, particularly in a country with a robust military presence. He defended the recent operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest as a significant achievement, underscoring its complexity and the risks involved.
Rubio acknowledged that while the U.S. has taken decisive action against Maduro, the removal of other top officials is not immediately feasible. “You’re not going to go in and wrap up five people at once,” he said, referring to the challenges of capturing multiple high-profile targets in a hostile environment.
The conversation also touched on the role of opposition leaders, with Brennan referencing María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, who emerged as significant figures in the previous election. Rubio expressed admiration for both leaders but reiterated the U.S. government’s intent to assess any new Venezuelan leadership based on their actions moving forward, rather than their past statements or affiliations.
As the interview concluded, Rubio reinforced the U.S. commitment to ensuring that any transition in Venezuela leads to a government that benefits its people and aligns with U.S. interests. He stated, “Our objectives regarding Venezuela’s impact on U.S. national interests have not changed. We want drug trafficking to stop, and we want to see the oil industry benefit the Venezuelan people, not corrupt elites.”
The discussion underscores a pivotal moment for U.S.-Venezuela relations, as the Biden administration and its predecessors grapple with the legacy of Chavismo and the potential for a new political landscape in the country.
