### U.S. Strategy in Venezuela: A Shift from Direct Control to Economic Pressure In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. has recently engaged in military action in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Following this operation, President Donald Trump initially claimed that the U.S. would "run" the country. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since clarified that the U.S. will not take on a governing role but will instead enforce an "oil quarantine" to exert economic pressure on the Venezuelan regime. This shift highlights the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, particularly regarding regime change and economic sanctions. ### Breakdown of U.S. Position on Venezuela 1. **Military Action and Initial Claims**: - The U.S. conducted a military operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, prompting Trump to assert that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela [https://www.timesnownews.com/videos/times-now/world/us-strike-on-venezuela-sparks-fallout-as-rubio-says-washington-not-govern-oil-blockade-to-continue-video-153396569]. 2. **Rubio's Clarification**: - Secretary Rubio emphasized that the U.S. would not govern Venezuela day-to-day but would enforce an existing oil quarantine as a means to influence policy changes [https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rubio-says-us-will-press-change-in-venezuela-with-oil-embargo-while-trump-insists-were-in-charge]. 3. **Economic Pressure Strategy**: - The U.S. plans to use the oil blockade as leverage to push for reforms in Venezuela, rather than direct intervention or nation-building [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/01/05/trump-insists-us-in-charge-in-venezuela]. 4. **Potential for Collaboration**: - Rubio indicated that the U.S. is open to working with Venezuela's remaining leaders if they make the "right decision" regarding U.S. interests, particularly in oil investments [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3749654-us-to-control-venezuelas-oil-amid-leadership-turmoil]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Military Operation**: The U.S. operation reportedly achieved its objective within 30 minutes, capturing Maduro [https://www.timesnownews.com/videos/times-now/world/us-strike-on-venezuela-sparks-fallout-as-rubio-says-washington-not-govern-oil-blockade-to-continue-video-153396569]. - **Oil Quarantine**: The oil quarantine is aimed at sanctioned tankers linked to Venezuela, which Rubio described as a tool for economic pressure [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/americas/rubio-walks-back-trumps-claim-that-us-will-run-venezuela-1928358]. - **U.S. Goals**: The Trump administration's goals include opening U.S. investment in Venezuela's oil reserves, indicating a focus on economic leverage rather than governance [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/01/05/trump-insists-us-in-charge-in-venezuela]. ### Conclusion: A New Approach to Venezuelan Policy In summary, the U.S. has shifted its approach to Venezuela from a direct governance model to one focused on economic pressure through an oil quarantine. This strategy aims to influence the Venezuelan regime without committing to a prolonged military presence or nation-building efforts. The following points encapsulate the current U.S. stance: 1. **No Day-to-Day Governance**: The U.S. will not govern Venezuela directly, as clarified by Rubio [https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2026/jan/05/rubio-restates-venezuela-role]. 2. **Economic Leverage**: The enforcement of an oil quarantine will serve as the primary method of exerting pressure on the Venezuelan government [https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/us-will-not-govern-venezuela-will-use-oil-quarantine-as-leverage-rubio-walks-back-trump-s-remark-article-13755957.html]. 3. **Potential Collaboration**: The U.S. remains open to working with Venezuelan leaders who align with its interests [https://www.trendsmena.com/geostrategy/us-to-work-with-current-venezuela-leaders-if-they-make-right-decision-rubio]. This nuanced approach reflects a strategic pivot in U.S. foreign policy, balancing military action with economic tactics to achieve its objectives in Venezuela.