This Week with George Stephanopoulos Full Episode: Sunday, January 4, 2026
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Jan 4, 2026 
U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares insights on the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, focusing on the U.S. strategy in the region and the complexities of the oil quarantine. Aaron Katursky updates listeners from the Brooklyn detention center about Maduro's indictment and expected legal proceedings. They delve into U.S. interactions with Venezuelan authorities and the potential for Western oil companies to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. Discussions also touch on legal concerns and the political implications of these actions.
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High-Intensity Raid Framed As Law Enforcement
- The U.S. conducted a precision military-led operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and framed it as law enforcement support for DOJ.
- The mission combined aircraft strikes and helicopter extraction after months of buildup under Operation Absolute Resolve.
Leverage Oil Sanctions To Force Change
- Use economic leverage, notably oil sanctions and court-ordered seizures, to pressure Venezuelan actors to change behavior.
- Judge progress by concrete actions: stopping drug flows, expelling Iranian influence, and ending narco-terrorist operations.
Actions, Not Rhetoric, Determine U.S. Response
- The U.S. will condition recognition and cooperation on measurable governance changes, not rhetoric.
- Rubio emphasized that actions — not press statements — will determine U.S. relations and the continuation of the quarantine.