Mauricio Claver-Carone, one of the most influential yet unofficial advisers on Venezuela in the Trump administration, has left his role after helping shape U.S. policy toward the South American nation. His departure marks a significant change in the team guiding Washington's economic and diplomatic engagement with Venezuela.
Despite not holding an official government title, Claver-Carone worked closely with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and played a central role in negotiations involving Venezuela's oil sector and efforts to restructure the country's massive sovereign debt. He also facilitated discussions between U.S. businesses and Venezuelan authorities on investment opportunities.
Claver-Carone said his departure was voluntary. However, people familiar with the matter told Reuters that concerns had grown within the administration over the influence he exercised in private business dealings while operating outside the formal government structure. His reported association with Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt also attracted scrutiny from some officials.
The U.S. State Department has maintained that Claver-Carone served only as a private citizen and never held an official government position. Before this advisory role, he served as President of the Inter-American Development Bank and previously held senior positions in the Trump administration focused on Latin America.
While Claver-Carone's exit creates uncertainty over future U.S.-Venezuela economic initiatives, officials noted that Caleb Orr, another key economic adviser, remains involved in decision-making. Observers will closely watch how the administration's Venezuela strategy evolves following this leadership change.
