WASHINGTON — The United States has outlined a three-phase strategy to stabilize and rebuild Venezuela following recent military and political developments, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio revealed the plan after briefing members of the U.S. Senate on the country’s approach to the ongoing crisis.
The strategy, described as a “stability, recovery and transition” plan, is intended to prevent further chaos in Venezuela and lay the groundwork for economic revival and political reform. Rubio’s comments come amid heightened tensions after a weekend military operation involving U.S. forces and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has drawn intense international scrutiny.
Under the plan’s first phase, the focus will be on stabilizing Venezuela to keep the country from descending further into instability. Part of this effort involves controlling and selling Venezuelan oil that has been stranded under sanctions. Rubio noted that the United States plans to take between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil, sell it at market prices, and manage the proceeds in a way that benefits the Venezuelan people rather than corrupt actors.
The second phase centers on economic recovery, with the goal of restoring fair access for American, Western and other international companies to Venezuelan markets. This phase also includes efforts to begin national reconciliation, including discussions about releasing political prisoners to aid in rebuilding civil society.
The final phase is described as a transition, although details on the precise mechanics and timeline for this stage were not fully disclosed by Rubio. This phase is expected to involve a broader political shift and greater Venezuelan participation in determining the country’s future governance.
In conjunction with the plan announcement, the White House said it will selectively lift certain sanctions on Venezuela, although officials have not specified which measures will be removed. Under previous U.S. policy, sanctions had targeted Venezuela’s access to financial markets as well as key sectors such as oil, gas and gold, and prohibited U.S. parties from acquiring Venezuelan debt.
The United States also reportedly seized additional oil tankers in the Caribbean as part of its broader strategy, reinforcing its leverage in managing Venezuelan resources.
Rubio emphasized that the plan aims to offer a structured path forward for Venezuela, preventing further deterioration while encouraging recovery and eventual transition. However, key questions remain about how these phases will unfold and the role of Venezuelan actors in shaping their country’s political and economic future.