U.S. Outlines ‘Stabilization’ Plan for Venezuela After Military Action Unseating President Nicolas Maduro

In a Wednesday briefing with senators, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth outlined a phased strategy following the U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power.

Rubio stated: “Step one is the stabilization of the country. We don’t want it descending into chaos.”

He emphasized that part of this stabilization involves a “quarantine” approach, noting the U.S. would continue seizing oil tankers and selling sanctioned Venezuelan oil. “We are going to take between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil,” Rubio said. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting. That money will then be handled so it benefits the Venezuelan people without corruption or the regime.”

The recovery phase would ensure American, Western, and other companies have fair access to the Venezuelan market.

Rubio added that the third phase would focus on “transition,” including creating processes for national reconciliation within Venezuela to allow opposition forces to be amnestied, released from prisons, or returned to rebuild civil society.

The briefing occurred amid growing concerns that President Donald Trump is pursuing a new era of U.S. expansionism without consulting lawmakers or establishing clear objectives for managing Venezuela.

While Republican leaders largely supported the removal of Maduro, many Democrats expressed skepticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated: “Their plan for the U.S. running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking, and was unsatisfying. I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries.”

A war powers resolution blocking U.S. military action in Venezuela without congressional approval is scheduled for a vote this week in the Senate.

By Solange Reyner | Wednesday, 07 January 2026 04:07 PM EST