Unofficial Trump Venezuela Adviser Mauricio Claver-Carone Steps Down

Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Miami businessman and powerful unofficial adviser to the Trump administration on Venezuela, has left his role. While Claver-Carone told Reuters that his departure was voluntary and stated that he is retired on Venezuela, multiple sources familiar with the matter indicate he was pushed out in recent weeks. The State Department denied he was removed from any role, noting that he is a private citizen without a formal government position.

Reporting to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Claver-Carone became a central figure in U.S. policy following the January 3 raid that captured President Nicolas Maduro. He worked closely with Maduro's replacement, former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was seen as more open to U.S. demands to open the Venezuelan economy. Claver-Carone was instrumental in arranging talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition leaders scheduled for August 1. He also played a key role in securing a contract worth over 150 million dollars for the U.S. firm Centerview Partners to restructure Venezuela's approximately 200 billion dollars in debt without a competitive bidding process.

His influence sparked controversy among some Trump allies and officials. Concerns were raised regarding his dual role as a private equity fund manager and an adviser on deals potentially worth billions of dollars. Former U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell reportedly raised concerns about Claver-Carone's business dealings directly with President Trump in early July. Additionally, Claver-Carone's use of Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt as a go-between caused unease, as Betancourt has faced allegations of corruption and money laundering. Claver-Carone has denied that he or his fund holds any financial stake in Venezuela.