Marco Rubio stated that the goal of the United States is a "friendly, stable, prosperous, and democratic" Venezuela, citing the transition of Spain after the Franco regime.

In a hearing in the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio stated that the Trump Administration is proposing to help Venezuela transition from an autocratic regime to a democratic one, similar to the transition in Spain after the death of dictator Franco. Rubio mentioned that, although the transition will not happen quickly, the goal is a friendly, stable, and prosperous Venezuela with free elections. Part of the U.S. strategy includes a mechanism through which Venezuela can sell sanctioned oil under American supervision, to finance the government and benefit the people. Rubio emphasized the importance of opening political space for the opposition and mentioned the existence of approximately 2,000 political prisoners. He also warned that, in the event the new government does not cooperate, there could be threats of the use of force. Rubio also discussed the meeting with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, highlighting the U.S. commitment to democracy in Venezuela.