{"id":2531117,"date":"2026-01-07T17:17:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T22:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubios-three-fold-plan-for-venezuela-what-comes-next\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T17:20:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T22:20:20","slug":"rubios-three-fold-plan-for-venezuela-what-comes-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubios-three-fold-plan-for-venezuela-what-comes-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Rubio&#8217;s three-fold plan for Venezuela: What comes next"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frubios-three-fold-plan-for-venezuela-what-comes-next%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531117&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Marco Rubio outlined a three-step U.S. plan for Venezuela: stabilization under acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez to prevent chaos (including seizing and selling 30-50 million barrels of oil with proceeds directed to the Venezuelan people), a recovery phase to reopen Venezuela&#8217;s market to American and Western companies and to pursue reconciliation (amnesties and releases for political prisoners, return of opposition figures), and finally an overseen transition of leadership. Rubio said phases may overlap and that more details will follow, but he did not specify what the leadership change would look like. The piece notes Nicol\u00e1s maduro is in U.S. custody facing trial over alleged corrupt oil deals with sanctioned regimes, and that President Trump has signaled Rodr\u00edguez may remain short-term while European officials press for a democratic transition possibly led by exiled figures like Edmundo gonz\u00e1lez. Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated the U.S. intends to market Venezuelan crude long-term; a U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuelan ports was also reported.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Rubio outlines three-step plan about what comes next for Venezuelan government<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2465977\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\">Marco Rubio<\/a> revealed further insight into the United States&rsquo;s plans for the decapitated government of Venezuela, which is intended to ultimately culminate in transition.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rubio said the &ldquo;three-fold process&rdquo; will amount to &ldquo;stabilization&rdquo; under the current regime headed by acting President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4409418\/main-players-venezuela-government-who-could-be-targeted\/\">Delcy Rodr&iacute;guez<\/a>, followed by &ldquo;recovery,&rdquo; and finally, a change in leadership.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4410168\/hands-off-venezuela-demonstrations-kick-off-worldwide\/\">&#8216;Hands off Venezuela&#8217; demonstrations kick off worldwide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4409806\/marjorie-taylor-greene-venezuela-narrative-not-working-for-most-people\/\">Marjorie Taylor Greene says Venezuelan &#8216;narrative not working for most people&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4409747\/uk-armed-forces-assisted-us-seizure-russian-registered-oil-tanker\/\">UK Armed Forces assisted in US seizure of Russian-registered oil tanker<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Step one is the stabilization of the country; we don&rsquo;t want it descending into chaos,&rdquo; Rubio said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives for a closed-door briefing with top lawmakers in a secure room at the Capitol after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a weekend raid in Caracas, Venezuela, and bring him to New York to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >face federal drug trafficking charges<\/a>, in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Citing the quarantine of Venezuelan imports and exports, Rubio said the seizure of &ldquo;between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil&rdquo; and sale thereof at &ldquo;market rates&rdquo; will be &ldquo;dispursed in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people &mdash; not corruption, not the regime.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Former Venezuelan dictator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nicolas-maduro\/\">Nicolas Maduro<\/a>, who is currently being held for trial in New York, is accused of holding his country hostage through corrupt and inefficient <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4408491\/russia-china-see-danger-opportunity-trump-donroe-doctrine\/\">oil sales to sanctioned regimes<\/a> such as Russia and Iran &mdash; enriching himself and wounding the oil-centric economy.<\/p>\n<p>The hypothetical second phase of &ldquo;recovery&rdquo; aims toward &ldquo;ensuring that American, Western, and other companies have access to the Venezuelan market that is fair.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>It would also begin the &ldquo;process of reconciliation&rdquo; within the country, so that &ldquo;opposition forces can be amnestied and released from prison or brought back to the country to rebuild civil society.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>After these steps are accomplished, Rubio said, the U.S. can begin overseeing the process of &ldquo;transition.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Some of this will overlap. I&rsquo;ve described this to them in great detail,&rdquo; Rubio said, referencing Rodr&iacute;guez&rsquo;s government. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have more details in the days to follow, but we feel like we&rsquo;re moving forward here in a very positive way.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodr&iacute;guez meets with her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodr&iacute;guez, at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 11, 2023. (AP Photo\/Matias Delacroix, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rubio did not clarify what a change of leadership would entail.<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> has indicated that he will allow Rodr&iacute;guez to continue as Maduro&rsquo;s successor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/just-in-republican-incumbent-mike-garcia-defeats-democrat-christy-smith-in-ca25-15th-gop-pick-up\/\" title=\"JUST IN: Republican Incumbent Mike Garcia Defeats Democrat Christy Smith in CA25 - 15th GOP Pick-Up\">short term<\/a>, saying she is &ldquo;essentially willing to do what she thinks is necessary to make Venezuela great again.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;She really doesn&rsquo;t have a choice,&rdquo; he said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, European leaders have distanced themselves from Maduro&rsquo;s abduction and called for an immediate transition to democratic rule.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s worth recalling that Nicol&aacute;s Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrat-suggests-stripping-catholic-church-of-tax-exempt-status-if-biden-denied-communion\/\" title=\"House Democrat Suggests Stripping Catholic Church Of Tax-Exempt Status If Biden Denied Communion\">democratically elected leader<\/a>, and therefore the events over the weekend provide the opportunity for a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\">European Commission<\/a>&nbsp;Chief Spokeswoman Paula Pinho said Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Pinho seemed to reference Edmundo Gonz&aacute;lez, widely believed by international bodies to have been the legitimate victor of the latest Venezuelan elections, when she endorsed the &ldquo;possibility for those who have been democratically elected in Venezuela to actually be running the country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Gonz&aacute;lez, who lives in Spain in exile, has not publicly demanded to be installed as president. However, his priorities do seem to match those expressed by Rubio, as he previously called for &ldquo;all Venezuelans who have been deprived of their freedom for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-three-takeaways-from-final-pennsylvania-senate-debate-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Top three takeaways from final Pennsylvania Senate debate- Washington Examiner\">political reasons&#038;rdquo<\/a>; to be released.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Military personnel stand by the coffins of soldiers killed in the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife at their funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ariana Cubillos)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fellow&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4400705\/venezuela-opposition-leader-maria-machado-us-fulfilled-promise\/\">opposition leader Mar&iacute;a Corina Machado<\/a>, a former National Assembly member who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her advocacy toward Venezuelan democracy, also appeared to be an obvious pick for the presidency until Trump shut the idea down.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader,&rdquo; Trump said, calling her a &ldquo;very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/europe-pushes-venezuelan-opposition-to-lead\/\" title=\"Europe pushes ...n opposition to lead\">nice woman&#038;rdquo<\/a>; who &ldquo;lacks the support&rdquo; necessary to lead Venezuela.<\/p>\n<p>Energy Secretary&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-wright\/\">Chris Wright<\/a>&nbsp;indicated on Wednesday that the U.S. plans to maintain control over Venezuelan oil sales for the long term.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4409418\/main-players-venezuela-government-who-could-be-targeted\/\">THE MAIN PLAYERS IN VENEZUELA&rsquo;S GOVERNMENT AND WHO COULD BE TARGETED NEXT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela, first this backed up, stored oil, and then indefinitely, going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace,&rdquo; he said at Goldman Sachs&rsquo;s Energy, CleanTech &amp; Utilities Conference.<\/p>\n<p>His comments followed the U.S. capture of an oil tanker earlier in the day that originated out of a Venezuelan port. The tanker, known as the <em>Bella 1<\/em> or the <em>Marinera<\/em> tanker, was sailing under a Russian flag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rubio&#8217;s 3-step plan to stabilize, recover, transition<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2531118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26006430012689.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[36710,34360,5036,36408,50813],"class_list":["post-2531117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-latin-america","tag-marco-rubio","tag-sanctions","tag-us-foreign-policy","tag-venezuela-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26006430012689.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531117"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531121,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531117\/revisions\/2531121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}