Marco Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture

Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells Meet the Press that the U.S. is dealing with the “immediate reality” that “the vast majority of the opposition is no longer present inside of Venezuela” after opposition leader María Corina Machado is floated as a potential successor to Nicolás Maduro.

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SearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSBlue SkyWhatsappPrintRedditFlipboardPinterestLinkedinLatest StoriesMeet the PressPoliticsU.S. NewsWorldSportsShoppingTiplineHealthBusinessCultureScienceMarco Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s captureJan. 4, 202603:48Clean extension of health care subsidies likely ‘dead on arrival’ in Senate03:13Three-year extension of ACA subsidies ‘not a real solution’: House Republican08:24Trump ‘on the right side of history’ by supporting Iranian protesters, says Iranian activist11:44We’re going to hold Trump ‘to account’: Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes07:52Marjorie Taylor Greene says Maduro’s capture is not ‘America First’: Full interview12:06Hakeem Jeffries says Maduro’s capture was ‘act of war’ against Venezuela: Full interview08:26Marco Rubio says Maduro’s capture ‘not a war against Venezuela’: Full interview18:12Now PlayingMarco Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture03:48UP NEXTTrump ‘doesn’t want to deal with Congress’ as strikes on Venezuela escalate: House Democrat09:15‘We need real fighters’: Illinois Lt. Gov. Stratton on her Senate campaign06:25In Memoriam: Remembering those in politics, culture and media who died in 202504:16Rep. Jasmine Crockett on her Senate bid: 'I am absolutely competitive'07:31Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to deploy National Guard in Illinois02:49‘Always in play’: Bipartisan duo on why North Carolina should be the first presidential primary06:29Immigrants ‘terrified’ of deportation with protected status set to expire03:37'Lucy with the football': Lindsey Graham's warning for Trump as Putin rebuffs peace efforts02:11Lindsey Graham says Hamas is ‘not disarming’ despite Trump peace efforts: Full interview08:42Tim Kaine says Bill Clinton ‘should address’ photos in Epstein files: Full interview06:29DOJ’s Todd Blanche says 15 Epstein files missing has ‘nothing to do with President Trump’06:02Deputy AG Blanche says DOJ ‘not redacting information’ on Trump in Epstein files: Full interview21:19Meet the PressMarco Rubio says elections in Venezuela would be ‘premature at this point’ after Maduro’s capture03:48CopiedSecretary of State Marco Rubio tells Meet the Press that the U.S. is dealing with the “immediate reality” that “the vast majority of the opposition is no longer present inside of Venezuela” after opposition leader María Corina Machado is floated as a potential successor to Nicolás Maduro.Jan. 4, 2026

onUP NEXTClean extension of health care subsidies likely ‘dead on arrival’ in Senate03:13Three-year extension of ACA subsidies ‘not a real solution’: House Republican08:24Trump ‘on the right side of history’ by supporting Iranian protesters, says Iranian activist11:44We’re going to hold Trump ‘to account’: Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes07:52Marjorie Taylor Greene says Maduro’s capture is not ‘America First’: Full interview12:06Hakeem Jeffries says Maduro’s capture was ‘act of war’ against Venezuela: Full interview08:26Get more newsLiveonBest of NBC News