US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s chances of becoming the next US President have suddenly risen significantly. According to the British newspaper The Independent, this is due to US action in Venezuela.
On the night of 3 January, the US military attacked Venezuela and abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, bringing them to the US. This military action was carried out with the approval of US President Donald Trump.
According to the US media outlet Politico, Trump has fully handed over responsibility for Venezuela to Marco Rubio. After Rubio’s key role in this entire operation, his chances of becoming the next US president have rapidly increased.
Donald Trump has already served as US President twice. According to the US Constitution, no person can serve as president more than twice. Therefore, it is believed that Marco Rubio is the strongest candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Also Read | Trump describes himself as ‘Acting President of Venezuela’
When American soldiers were carrying out operations in Venezuela, Foreign Minister Rubio was monitoring it with Trump.
Marco Rubio becomes face of Venezuela operation
Immediately after the Venezuela operation, Trump gave Rubio the responsibility of acting National Security Advisor (NSA). This is the first time since 1973, when Henry Kissinger was both Secretary of State and NSA, that someone has been given this dual role.
Politico writes that Secretary of State Rubio has emerged as the most important figure in the Trump administration on matters related to Venezuela. When Trump said, “We are going to run this country,” Rubio was standing right behind him.
Afterward, Rubio appeared on all the major Sunday news shows to explain the operation in which Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro was captured. In the following days, he also defended the action in briefings to Congress.
Now, photoshopped memes of Rubio are circulating on social media, showing him dressed in the style of Venezuela’s president.
Also Read | Who is Trump’s new right-hand man Marco Rubio?
Rubio quietly building his influence within the party
Politico reported last November that Rubio had privately said that if JD Vance runs in 2028, he would support him. In another interview, he stated that if JD Vance runs for president, he would be our candidate, and I would be the first to support him.
However, many political strategists are not convinced by this. Baz Jacobs, who was an advisor to Rubio during the 2016 presidential campaign, said, “From what I’m hearing from insiders within the party, Rubio is quietly building his influence within the Republican Party.”
George W. Bush’s former advisor and veteran political strategist Mark McKinnon told Politico, “If the Venezuela bet succeeds, he (Rubio) could become president of the United States in the future, but if it fails, it’s certain that he will never reach that office.”
Vice president stayed away from Venezuela operation
Rubio ran against Trump in the 2016 presidential election and had even called him a ‘fraud’ at that time. But after Trump won and completely took over the Republican Party, Rubio changed many of his policies and rhetoric. He surrounded himself with staff and advisors aligned with the ‘America First’ mindset, helping advance Trump’s tough foreign policy.
In 2024, Trump had shortlisted Rubio for the vice-presidential position, but he was made secretary of state instead. Now Rubio has become the face of the Venezuela operation, but surprisingly, Vice President JD Vance stayed largely away from it.
After the successful operation in Venezuela, Trump addressed the public from his private residence Mar-a-Lago in Florida on the night of 4 January. Rubio, the secretary of state, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were present with Trump, while the vice president was absent.
Experts suggest this might also be a way to keep Vance safe. A large portion of Trump’s hardcore supporters wants the country to stay away from foreign interventions. If the Venezuela bet fails in the future, Vance could avoid accountability. He could openly say, “I wasn’t involved in this anywhere.”
Trump addressed the press after Operation Venezuela on January 3. He was seen with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio (left) and Defense Minister Pete Hegseth (right).
Vance or Rubio – whom will Trump choose as his successor?
According to Politico, if Rubio runs for president in the next election, his career could either rise or fall. According to the betting company PoliMarket, in December 2025, his chances of winning were only 4%, whereas by the morning of 12 January, they had risen to 9%.
However, Rubio is still behind US Vice President J.D. Vance in this race. Vance’s chances are currently estimated at 30%. On the opposition Democratic Party side, California Governor Gavin Newsom is leading for the 2028 presidential election, with an 18% chance. He is followed by New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose chance is reported at 8%.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a report on this in August 2025. It stated that President Trump is deliberately keeping his position regarding his potential successor unclear. He frequently compares J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio to his close associates or in meetings.
He keeps both of them aware that they are contenders for the presidency. However, he has not openly endorsed either of them.