In a significant development, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that several U.S. agencies, including the State Department, Pentagon, and Department of Justice, are set to oversee operations in Venezuela temporarily. This decision comes amid heightened international focus on the region.

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker, Rubio emphasized the collaborative nature of this initiative, stating, “This is a team effort by the entire national security apparatus of our country. The policy’s primary objective is to secure changes in Venezuela that first and foremost serve the interests of the United States.”

Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, President Trump addressed the media on Saturday, outlining the administration’s plan to govern Venezuela until a safe, proper, and judicious transition can be achieved. He also highlighted plans for American oil companies to assist in repairing the nation’s petroleum infrastructure, a critical move given Venezuela’s status as the holder of the largest oil reserves globally.

Rubio further elaborated on the immediate priorities for the U.S. in Venezuela, which include tackling the flow of illegal drugs and managing the transport of sanctioned oil. He assured that once these pressing issues are under control, efforts would turn towards organizing elections in the beleaguered South American nation.

Rubio told NBC that in the short term, the U.S. will address issues such as the flow of drugs and transport of sanctioned oil from Venezuela. Elections will be held in the South American country once those concerns are alleviated, he noted.

“We want a better future for Venezuela,” Rubio added. “And we think a better future for the people of Venezuela also is stabilizing for the region and makes the neighborhood we live in a much better and safer place.”

“All of the problems we had when Maduro was there, we still have those problems in terms of them needing to be addressed,” he said later in the interview. “We are going to give people an opportunity to address those challenges and those problems.”

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed power upon Maduro’s capture, with Trump saying Saturday that Rubio spoke to her after the operation. The president also said that opposition leader María Corina Machado lacks the support or respect to run Venezuela.

International observers, including the U.S., have said that Edmundo González, who Machado backed, defeated Maduro with overwhelming support in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election. Maduro, though, clung to power.