Senator Marco Rubio outlined a three-step U.S. strategy for Venezuela following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro: immediate stabilization, economic and social recovery, and a later political transition. The recovery phase emphasizes reopening Venezuela to American and Western firms on fair terms while pursuing national reconciliation measures, including possible amnesties and the release or return of opposition figures. Rubio briefed U.S. senators on the administration's plan and stressed the need to avoid chaos as the country moves toward transition.
Rubio Outlines Three-Step U.S. Plan for Venezuela: Stabilize, Recover, Then Transition
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the members of the media on the day of a briefing for the House of Representatives on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Senator Marco Rubio told U.S. senators on Wednesday that the United States has outlined a three-step strategy for Venezuela: stabilize the country in the immediate aftermath of U.S. forces detaining President Nicolás Maduro, oversee economic and social recovery, and then manage a political transition.
Three Phases of the Plan
Phase One — Stabilization
Rubio said the first priority is to prevent chaos and restore basic security and public order after Maduro's detention. Stabilization, he said, will focus on reestablishing essential services, protecting civilians, and creating the conditions for humanitarian assistance to reach communities in need.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief senators on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Phase Two — Recovery
The recovery phase aims to restart Venezuela's economy and reopen markets. Rubio said the plan is to ensure that American, Western and other international companies can access the Venezuelan market on fair terms so commerce and investment can resume. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding infrastructure and public institutions to support a sustainable recovery.
National Reconciliation
Rubio said recovery would be accompanied by efforts to promote national reconciliation. That includes considering amnesties for opposition figures, arranging the release or safe return of political detainees, and supporting initiatives to rebuild civil society and political pluralism.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief senators on the situation in Venezuela, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
"We don't want it descending into chaos," Rubio said after briefing senators on the administration's plan. "And then the third phase, of course, will be one of transition."
Phase Three — Transition
The final phase is a political transition intended to produce a legitimate and stable governing arrangement. Rubio described this as the eventual goal after stabilization and recovery have created the conditions for credible political processes.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis, Doina Chiacu, Katharine Jackson and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Nia Williams)
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