What is the US strategy on Venezuela now? Secretary of State Marco Rubio presents roadmap

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The administration led by US President Donald Trump has outlined a three-phase strategy for Venezuela. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that under this roadmap, there is no immediate plan to hold elections in Venezuela and the United States will remain involved for a prolonged period.

According to Rubio, the plan is divided into three stages: stabilisation, recovery, and political transition. He made it clear that these phases will not be implemented in haste, as Venezuela’s current crisis is the result of years of institutional and economic decline. The first phase focuses on stabilising the country. Rubio said that preventing chaos after the removal of President Nicolás Maduro is the primary objective at this stage. To achieve this, the US will maintain strict control over Venezuela’s oil exports.

He added that Washington currently holds its strongest leverage through strict enforcement of sanctions and maritime monitoring, including a naval quarantine. The second phase deals with economic recovery. During this stage, Venezuela’s economy will be reopened to US, Western, and other approved foreign companies. Rubio said this phase will include rebuilding infrastructure, repairing the power system, and creating conditions for economic growth.

National reconciliation will also be part of the recovery phase. This includes the release or amnesty of opposition leaders and facilitating the return of millions of Venezuelans who have left the country. The third and final phase will involve the political transition process. However, Rubio refused to provide any timeline for this stage, stating that only a few days have passed and years of institutional decay cannot be reversed overnight.

This strategy is also significant for India, as long-term US involvement in Venezuela could affect global oil supply. Any changes in oil flows may directly impact markets that India heavily depends on for energy imports.

Responding to criticism, Rubio said this is neither a rushed nor an unplanned strategy and that the full plan has already been shared with Congress. The administration believes that holding early elections could further destabilise the country, making stability and economic reform a priority. The strategy also indicates that the US aims to expand its influence through economic pressure, particularly by controlling the energy sector, while countering China’s growing presence in Latin America.