US, Jan 08 : The United States does not expect elections in Venezuela in the near future, with Washington signalling a long-term engagement strategy rather than a rapid political reset.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday outlined a three-stage American plan for Venezuela, making clear that the Trump administration views its involvement as a process likely to unfold over years, not months.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Rubio said the approach would move sequentially through stabilisation, economic recovery, and only then a political transition, warning that rushing the process could push the country into renewed instability.
Stabilisation comes first
Rubio said the immediate priority is preventing disorder following the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.
“Step one is the stabilisation of the country,” he said, stressing that Venezuela’s fragile institutions cannot absorb sudden political change.
According to Rubio, Washington believes it currently holds its strongest leverage over Venezuela’s interim authorities, largely through control over oil exports. This leverage is being enforced through economic sanctions and a naval quarantine aimed at restricting unauthorised shipments.
Economic recovery as the second phase
The second stage of the US plan focuses on economic recovery, with Rubio saying Venezuela’s economy would gradually be reopened to American, Western, and other approved foreign companies.
Rebuilding damaged infrastructure would be a key priority, including restoring the electricity grid and reviving industrial capacity to restart economic growth. Rubio said recovery would also involve reconciliation measures, such as the possible release or amnesty of opposition figures.
Encouraging Venezuelans who fled the country during years of economic collapse to return home would also form part of this phase, he added.
Political transition without a timeline
Only in the final phase would Venezuela move towards a political transition, Rubio said, declining to provide any timeline for elections.
“It’s been just a few days,” he said, pushing back against expectations of quick democratic change and arguing that years of institutional erosion cannot be reversed overnight.
The administration has faced criticism from some US lawmakers, particularly House Democrats, who argue that the White House has offered broad frameworks without firm guarantees on Venezuela’s political future. Rubio rejected claims that the strategy lacks clarity.
“We’re not just winging it,” he said, adding that detailed planning has already been shared with Congress.
Rubio maintained that forcing early elections could destabilise the country further and that stabilisation and recovery must precede political restructuring.
Global implications
Beyond regional politics, the phased US strategy carries wider implications. Prolonged American involvement in Venezuela could reshape global oil supply dynamics, with potential knock-on effects for energy markets that countries like India rely on.
The plan also reflects a broader US approach that prioritises economic and energy leverage ahead of political change, while signalling Washington’s intent to counter China’s growing influence in Latin America.