Rubio Calls for Democratic Transition and Free Elections in Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Tuesday that Venezuela must undergo a political transition leading to free and fair elections, while urging both patience and vigilance from Washington. Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Hannity," Rubio emphasized that meaningful democratic change in the crisis-stricken nation remains a top priority for the Trump administration.

"Ultimately, there will have to be a transition phase," Rubio stated. "There will have to be free and fair elections in Venezuela. And that point has to come. We have to be patient, but we also can't be complacent."

The remarks follow a dramatic U.S. military operation in January, during which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was seized in a raid authorized by President Donald Trump. The United Nations human rights office condemned the action as a violation of international law. Since Maduro's removal, his former vice president Delcy Rodríguez has assumed governing authority under U.S. oversight, while Trump publicly stated that Washington would effectively "run" Venezuela moving forward.

Rubio also turned his attention to Cuba, signaling that the administration is preparing further action against Havana. He stressed that the island nation requires both economic and political reform, arguing that meaningful recovery is impossible without a fundamental change in its governing system. "You cannot fix their economy if you don't change their system of government," he said, adding that new developments regarding Cuba would be announced soon.

The U.S. previously cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba following Maduro's ouster and threatened steep tariffs on any nation supplying crude to the island. Cuba's ongoing energy crisis has triggered widespread blackouts affecting its 10 million residents, with health officials warning of heightened mortality risks for cancer patients, particularly children.

Human rights advocates have criticized the Trump administration's approach across both nations, warning that exploiting Venezuelan oil resources and pressuring Cuba reflects a broader pattern of interventionist and imperialist foreign policy.