WASHINGTON – In a high-profile hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented a comprehensive overview of Washington’s policy toward Venezuela, underscoring both diplomatic engagement and firm expectations for cooperation from Caracas. Rubio’s testimony, delivered Wednesday, highlighted progress, conditional benchmarks and the continued possibility of military force if Venezuela fails to meet U.S. demands.
Rubio stressed that Delcy Rodríguez’s interim presidency — installed after the capture of Nicolás Maduro — is not viewed as a permanent solution, but rather as a transitional leadership that must demonstrate concrete cooperation with U.S. objectives. He made clear that cooperation is not optional but tied to the regime’s survival: failure to comply could result in increased pressure from Washington.
The secretary of state noted that the United States believes it is better positioned now than ever before for a free and democratic Venezuela, pointing to ongoing releases of political prisoners and steps toward economic reforms. While the pace of political prisoner releases has not matched Rubio’s ideal timeline, he affirmed that the U.S. is closely monitoring how the interim government treats both detained and released opposition figures.
Maria Corina Machado and Marco Rubio during their meeting on January 28, 2026.
Rubio outlined a system of quarterly benchmarks — spanning three, six and nine months — in which substantial progress must be shown in cooperation, democratic transition and policy reforms. Progress will be evaluated on a recurring basis to determine whether Venezuela is moving toward free and fair elections and broader political inclusion.
Despite repeated warnings, Rubio also clarified that the U.S. does not currently plan additional military action in Venezuela. He emphasized that Washington reserves the right to use force only if cooperation breaks down entirely or if an imminent threat emerges that directly impacts U.S. national security in the region — though such a scenario is not anticipated at this time.
Economic aspects also featured in Rubio’s testimony. He said that funds controlled by the U.S. government will be allocated to support the Venezuelan population and ensure that revenues from oil sales benefit Venezuelans rather than sanctioned entities. American companies are reportedly interested in investing in Venezuela, but they require confidence and security guarantees before committing.
Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for Venezuelan opposition voices, noting that María Corina Machado enjoys respect and backing from American policymakers and that efforts are underway to ensure all sectors of Venezuelan society are represented in the transition process.
A recurring theme in the hearing was the U.S. desire for increased transparency and accountability from Caracas. Weekly oil revenues and their use, political reforms, freedom of the press and human rights were cited as areas requiring ongoing progress. The U.S. position remains focused on achieving a free, prosperous Venezuela with a political system that allows the opposition to participate fully and return exiles if they choose.
Rubio’s remarks come amid broader debate in Congress about the legality and future of U.S. actions in Venezuela following the Jan. 3 operation that led to Maduro’s capture — an operation that has drawn both bipartisan support and criticism
Overall, the testimony balanced cautious optimism with pointed expectations: cooperation is paramount, progress will be measured in clear phases, and while military force remains an option, the United States hopes it will not be necessary to employ it.