US EditionRubio indicates U.S. won’t run Venezuela but will use oil blockade as leverage for changes
Rubio confirmed the U.S. will enforce an oil quarantine around Venezuela to press policy changes including halting drug trafficking and limiting adversary influence.
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, said the U.S. will influence Venezuela through policy, using an oil quarantine as the main lever, and explained Trump's 'control' means maintaining the blockade on sanctioned tankers.
- Rubio argued the quarantine exists to provide "a tremendous amount of leverage" to press Venezuelan leadership for policy shifts that stop drug trafficking and sever ties with Iran, Hezbollah, and Cuba.
- Rubio said enforcement will rely on U.S. court orders to seize sanctioned oil tankers, with American military units targeting maritime traffic since September and U.S. forces briefly operating inside Venezuela.
- Maduro is currently detained ahead of a January 5 court appearance, and Rubio said Washington will assess Delcy Rodríguez and others based on actions, predicting Western oil companies' dramatic interest.
- Rubio's remarks softened President Donald Trump's sweeping January 03, 2026 statements by stressing policy direction, not control, while he emphasized preventing Russia, China and Iran from exploiting Venezuelan oil and noted U.S. Gulf Coast refineries could benefit amid a global heavy crude shortage.
210 Articles
210 Articles
‘This Never Ends Well’: Rubio’s Fast-Talking Defense Crashes Out, Tries to Muscle Past Reporter — Until His Defense Slips and Trump’s Endgame Spills Out
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s rapid-fire style was on full display during his Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” — a performance that
Reforma
The US does not assume a daily role in the government of Venezuela any more than to operate an oil blockade and seek change in that country, said Marco Rubio.
Omaha World-Herald
The News VirginianRubio says US won't govern Venezuela
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the United States would not take a day-to-day role in governing Venezuela other than enforcing an existing "oil quarantine" on the country, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a…
Montana Standard
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Rubio explains how the US might 'run' Venezuela after Maduro ouster
The US’ top diplomat Marco Rubio suggested that Washington will seek to influence policy change in Venezuela through oil blockades, but not involved in the day-to-day running of the country following a Saturday operation which overthrew and captured President Maduro.
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