Rubio: U.S. Will Rely On Oil Quarantine And Naval Pressure — Not Occupation — After Maduro Arrest

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS's Face the Nation on Jan. 4, 2026, that the United States will use an oil quarantine and a large naval presence — not an extended occupation — to pressure Venezuela after the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Speaking from Miami, Rubio defended the focused operation that removed Maduro and his wife and described the administration's objectives for Venezuela moving forward.

Levers of Pressure: Oil Quarantine and Naval Deployment

Rubio said the Venezuelan regime depends on oil revenue that is routinely siphoned off by top officials and that an active oil quarantine — including the ability to seize sanctioned vessels under U.S. court orders — is a major source of leverage. He also pointed to one of the largest recent U.S. naval deployments in the Western Hemisphere as a capability to interdict drug-smuggling vessels and enforce sanctions.

"That quarantine is a major lever of influence that will remain until we see changes that advance not only U.S. national interests but also better conditions for the Venezuelan people," Rubio said.

On the Maduro Operation and Other Indicted Officials

Rubio defended the administration's decision to prioritize the arrest of Maduro — described in the interview as an indicted narcotics trafficker who claimed the presidency — and his wife. He said the mission was complex, involved rapid helicopter insertions at a major military base, and focused on the top target to avoid a far larger, riskier campaign that would have required prolonged U.S. presence.

When asked why other high-level officials who are indicted or have U.S. rewards on their heads remain in place, Rubio said simultaneous raids at multiple military bases would have been much riskier and politically fraught. He emphasized the administration's desire to avoid extended occupation while retaining "optionality" in response to imminent threats.

What the U.S. Wants From Venezuela's New Leaders

Rubio said U.S. policy will be guided by actions, not promises. The State Department's priorities, as outlined in the interview, are to stop drug trafficking that affects the region, curb gang activity, reduce Iranian and Cuban influence in Venezuela, and ensure oil revenues benefit Venezuelan citizens rather than corrupt elites.

"We will judge whoever we're interacting with moving forward by whether or not those conditions are met," Rubio said, adding that private diplomatic conversations are sensitive and will not be aired publicly.

On Oil Interests And Accusations Of Backroom Deals

Responding to criticism — including from former envoy Elliott Abrams — that oil interests or secret deals motivated the operation, Rubio denied that backroom arrangements drove the arrest of Maduro. He framed the operation as a law-enforcement action to bring an indicted narcotics trafficker to U.S. justice and reiterated that rebuilding Venezuela's dilapidated oil sector should benefit ordinary Venezuelans under clear safeguards.

Context And Regional Impact

Rubio highlighted the broader regional consequences of Venezuela's collapse: an estimated eight to nine million people have left the country since 2014, creating one of the largest modern migration crises in the hemisphere. He framed U.S. measures as efforts to protect American national interests while pressing for reforms that would improve life for Venezuelans.

Bottom line: The administration stresses economic and maritime pressure as primary tools, defends a limited, high-priority capture operation, and says it will evaluate Venezuela's new leadership based on concrete steps to halt narcotics trafficking, limit foreign malign influence, and restore oil revenues to the people.