Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Tom Cotton, Rep. Jim Himes, Sen. Chris Van Hollen
Jan 4, 2026
U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Marco Rubio discusses U.S. strategies in post-Maduro Venezuela, focusing on oil sanctions and military leverage. Senator Tom Cotton praises intelligence efforts while outlining goals for stability and the removal of foreign influence. Representative Jim Himes raises concerns over the administration's lack of Congressional outreach and the complexities of post-conflict governance. Senator Chris Van Hollen critiques motives behind U.S. actions and highlights the plight of detained Americans, questioning the legality of forceful regime change.
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Leverage Through Oil Quarantine
- Marco Rubio frames U.S. leverage over Venezuela primarily through an oil quarantine and sanctions rather than occupation.
- He argues the goal is to stop drug trafficking, expel Iranian/Cuban influence, and force revenue to benefit Venezuelans.
Surgical Strike Over Mass Arrests
- Rubio defends the focused raid to capture Maduro as a complex, surgical operation avoiding prolonged occupation.
- He stresses the mission prioritized the top target and avoided broader simultaneous raids to limit U.S. exposure.
Intelligence-Military Coordination Was Key
- Tom Cotton credits CIA and military coordination for the successful capture and frames it as advancing U.S. national interests.
- He says remaining Venezuelan officials must change or face similar consequences.