U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela must undergo ​a political transition and hold free and ‌fair elections, but asked for patience until that stage arrives, Fox News reported on March 31. Earlier that day, Rubio met with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

The U.S. State Department did not make any public comments on Rubio's meeting with Machado, which happened behind closed doors. These events occurred one day after Washington reopened its embassy in Caracas. In February, Machado met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, also behind closed doors. Since then-President Nicolas Maduro's capture on Jan. 3, the White House has recognized Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela's interim president and engaged in negotiations for economic liberalization while controlling the country's oil trade.