During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on January 4, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the current state of U.S. foreign policy regarding Venezuela. In a discussion with host Margaret Brennan, Rubio outlined the administration’s strategy following the recent detention of key figures from the Venezuelan regime, including Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. Strategy and Military Options
Rubio conveyed that the U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, intends to leverage military and economic pressure to influence the Venezuelan government. He emphasized that the Venezuelan regime’s reliance on an oil economy, which is severely mismanaged, hinders the well-being of its citizens.
“The oil industry is backwards and really needs a lot of help,” Rubio stated. “None of the money from the oil gets to the people; it’s all stolen by those at the top.” He reiterated that the U.S. maintains a quarantine on sanctioned oil shipments, indicating a commitment to apply pressure until substantial changes occur that benefit both U.S. interests and the Venezuelan populace.
When asked about the possibility of an occupation, Rubio clarified that while military options remain on the table, the current focus is on economic sanctions rather than direct intervention. “The President always retains optionality on anything,” he noted, referencing the significant naval deployments aimed at controlling drug trafficking and enforcing sanctions against the Venezuelan government.
Addressing Criticism and Future Goals
During the interview, Brennan questioned the administration’s decision not to arrest other high-ranking officials implicated in narcotics trafficking, such as Diosdado Cabello and the defense minister, both of whom have been indicted by U.S. authorities. Rubio defended the operation that resulted in Maduro’s arrest, describing it as a complex and daring mission. He insisted that capturing multiple figures simultaneously would have been impractical.
Rubio highlighted the importance of evaluating the newly appointed leaders, including Edmundo González, who won the 2024 elections alongside María Corina Machado. “We are going to judge whoever we’re interacting with moving forward by whether or not those conditions are met,” he remarked, acknowledging the critical role these leaders could play in Venezuela’s future.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Rubio expressed a firm belief in the potential for positive change in Venezuela. He underscored that the U.S. aims to ensure that the oil wealth benefits the Venezuelan people rather than corrupt elites. “We insist on seeing that happen,” he emphasized, while reiterating a commitment to addressing drug trafficking and the influence of foreign adversaries such as Hezbollah and Iran.
As the situation in Venezuela evolves, Rubio’s comments reflect a broader U.S. strategy focused on leveraging both military readiness and economic sanctions to drive change in the South American nation. The future of Venezuela remains uncertain, but the U.S. government’s approach aims to balance national interests with the urgent needs of the Venezuelan people.
