Key facts
- Mauricio Claver-Carone, an unofficial adviser to the Trump administration on Venezuela policy, has left his role.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, an unofficial adviser who significantly influenced U.S. policy toward Venezuela during the Trump administration, has stepped down from his role. While Claver-Carone stated his departure was voluntary, sources suggest he was forced out.
The departure of Mauricio Claver-Carone, a key unofficial architect of U.S. policy toward Venezuela, raises questions about the future direction of American engagement with the South American nation, particularly concerning its debt and oil resources.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, an unofficial adviser who significantly influenced U.S. policy toward Venezuela and its vast oil resources during the Trump administration, has stepped down from his role. Claver-Carone, who reported to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was described by sources as having a role akin to a viceroy in shaping decisions on debt restructuring and oil deals potentially worth billions.
While Claver-Carone stated his departure was voluntary, multiple sources familiar with the matter indicated he was forced out. During his tenure, he was instrumental in Centerview Partners securing a contract worth over $150 million for restructuring Venezuela's approximately $200 billion in debt. He also facilitated talks between Venezuelan government and opposition leaders and weighed in on oil deals.
Claver-Carone, a Cuban American with a history of opposition to Cuba's government and an ally of Rubio, previously served as the president of the Inter-American Development Bank and as Trump's Special Envoy for Latin America. He acknowledged using Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt as an intermediary with the current Venezuelan government, citing Betancourt's understanding of the oil business.
Some Trump allies had questioned Claver-Carone's suitability to oversee U.S. companies' pursuit of Venezuelan assets, given his status as a private citizen controlling a private equity fund, though he stated neither he nor his fund has a financial stake in Venezuela. His influence reportedly ruffled feathers within the State Department and among some investors, with former envoy Richard Grenell reportedly speaking to Trump about Claver-Carone's business dealings in Caracas. An administration official denied that Claver-Carone had "ruffled feathers at the White House" and stated he does not currently hold an official role.
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