President Donald Trump’s Venezuela policy has drawn scrutiny over its reliance on a former official with no current government role, according to a report. Mauricio Claver-Carone, who previously served as the State Department’s special envoy for Latin America, is now a key figure in U.S. dealings with Venezuela following the Jan. 3 removal of Nicolás Maduro. Claver-Carone joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a call with interim President Delcy Rodríguez shortly after U.S. forces took Maduro into custody, the outlet reported.
Unofficial Role, Official Influence
Claver-Carone claims to act as a “connector,” not a decision-maker, telling the outlet that “I don’t make decisions. That’s obviously for the president and the secretary.” A State Department spokesperson confirmed Claver-Carone “does not currently have an official role” and is not issuing government instructions. However, over a dozen current and former U.S. officials described him as relaying messages between Washington and Caracas, shaping which investors gain access to Venezuela’s reopening oil industry.
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One former U.S. official called him “a guy who has no role in government, but plays an oversize role.” The report highlights tensions as Venezuela enters a delicate phase. Maduro, charged by the U.S. Justice Department in 2020 with narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, has been in prison since his capture. He faces accusations of running a “corrupt, illegitimate government” linked to drug networks, though a U.S. intelligence assessment found no ties between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government.
Claver-Carone has long advocated hard-line policies on Venezuela and Cuba. Trump appointed him as special envoy for Latin America in December 2024, citing his knowledge of migration and fentanyl threats. He left the role quickly, however, amid controversies. During his tenure at the Inter-American Development Bank, the board recommended his firing after an ethics investigation found misconduct. Claver-Carone denied wrongdoing at the time.
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The situation raises questions about oversight. While Claver-Carone insists he’s not a decision-maker, his influence appears to extend beyond informal channels. One official noted that “for a guy who has no role in government, he plays an oversize role.” The State Department’s stance remains that he’s not acting on behalf of the U.S. government, but the report suggests his actions may blur lines between personal and official interests.
Venezuela’s future remains uncertain. Maduro’s legal troubles and the U.S. push for regime change complicate negotiations. Meanwhile, Claver-Carone continues to advocate for policies he claims protect U.S. interests. His role, though unofficial, has become a focal point in a policy area fraught with legal and diplomatic challenges.
