The United States has outlined a three-phase strategy for Venezuela in the wake of U.S. forces capturing its leader, Nicolás Maduro, on January 3. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the plan starts with stabilizing the country, then moves into a recovery stage that ensures U.S. oil companies can operate there, and ultimately leads to a political transition.

President Donald Trump has threatened further military action if Maduro’s interim leadership does not follow U.S. conditions, which emphasize access to Venezuelan oil. Trump said the U.S. will refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, using the revenue to support Venezuela’s transition while U.S. authorities retain control over how those funds are spent.

Rubio told lawmakers in classified briefings that, after preventing Venezuela from collapsing into disorder, the recovery phase will include fair access for American and Western companies to the Venezuelan market and efforts to promote reconciliation, including amnesty and the release of political prisoners. He noted that the final transition phase will be up to the Venezuelan people themselves.

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Democrats criticized the plan, calling it tantamount to seizing Venezuelan oil and questioning the lack of public debate, with some lawmakers describing the strategy as extreme and concerning. Other Republicans supported Maduro’s removal but urged the U.S. to help install legitimate Venezuelan leadership rather than simply supporting the existing interim officials. Critics also warned that emphasizing oil interests could undermine claims of altruistic motives.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.