Why Marco Rubio is a bet to shine in 2028

As I was following developments surrounding the recent controversial arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, on Venezuelan soil, by a special command unit of the United States of America’s military, one thing clearly stood out to me: the clear, and sheer influential involvement of Marco Rubio on the entire operation.

The son of Cuban immigrants has risen up the ranks of right-wing American politics with principle and prowess, whatever one makes of his political beliefs and trajectory. Over the past few months he has exhibited an increasingly stateman-like aura, he is a committed anti-communist, a fervent Catholic, a family man and largely well regarded by most within Republican circles and beyond.

As one commentator on X put it: “Rubio is a patriotic, church-going, Cuban-American who married a professional cheerleader, raised a son who plays for the Gators, and arrests communist dictators”. What more do patriotic Americans want? He is the brains behind the capture of Maduro and the imposition of what looks like a regime-puppet where the USA will have “a tremendous amount of leverage, until we see changes that not just further the national interest of the United States, which is number one”. As well as being one of the most audacious acts of US military strength in recent decades, this is the kind of talk that has led to news agencies around the world such as El Pais, The Washington Post and New York Times calling Rubio the “Viceroy of Venezuela”, and it is no wonder that Trump himself has dubbed Rubio the “greatest secretary of state ever”.

Yet, one thing struck me in all of this: where was JD Vance, the US VP, in all of this? He was and remains notably absent from all of the footage surrounding the Venezuela episode, both in terms of images of the night and subsequent press conferences. As I write this, JD Vance is actually on twitter talking about “deranged leftists”, “radicals” and there is always a sense that, unlike the calm, collected and serious Rubio, JD could at any time ‘put his foot in it’. Trump himself has called him capable but has ruled out naming him as his anointed successor.

There have been just 3 one-term VP’s who subsequently became Republican candidates in the election after, and that was due to: assassination, natural death, resignation of existing Presidents. Provided Trump sees out his full term, there’s no certainty he backs JD, who currently sits at 8/11 to be the next Republican candidate, and as short as 9/4 to win the 2028 election. I think these prices and the implied probability they hold are too short in what will no doubt develop in to a Succession-like House of Cards for the Republican nomination in 2028.

Marco Rubio simply has to be be a big player here and the 7/1 and 8/1 on offer seems very fair. We are seeing his tact for international relations before us, whether it be via his bilingual diplomacy, conflict mediation or his zealous belief in Americas dominance of the Western hemisphere. With an increasing number of plaudits I expect big names, lofty and respected figures and political barons and donors, to come out supporting him for the big job in the coming months to come. The price disparity between him and Vance is enough to tempt a small interest.

-       Marco Rubio, 2028 Republican Candidate – 8/1
-       Marco Rubio, 2028 President – 20/1

Written by James Makey (Senior Sports Tarder and holds degrees & masters in History, Politics & International Development)