Grenell Reshuffles the Game in Venezuela, at Home and Abroad

By Misión Verdad – Feb 25, 2025

Richard Grenell, Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions, stated that the US president “has no intention” of pushing for regime change in Venezuela. Instead, Grenell emphasized that the focus is on advancing US interests.

During an interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Grenell clarified that while the US is “clear about the Maduro government and Venezuela,” it is not seeking to drive political changes in the country. He explained, “Donald Trump is not someone who wants to make regime changes. He is someone who wants to make US nationals stronger and more prosperous.”

Grenell also recounted his recent visit to Caracas, where he met face-to-face with President Nicolás Maduro. He described the meeting as an attempt to establish a “different relationship” with the Venezuelan leader. Although Maduro presented a list of demands, Grenell made it clear that the US had no plans to meet them. He characterized his visit, both public and communicative, as a “gift” from the US government.

These remarks are significant as they suggest a clearer stance from the US government regarding its relationship with Maduro’s administration. Since Grenell’s visit to Venezuela at the end of January, there has been a noticeable shift in the political landscape, particularly in international dynamics.

Consequences and perspectives
During the conversation with The Epoch Times, Grenell also referenced how the new US government carried out its foreign relations through “Trump’s ambassadors,” employing the mechanism of special envoys.

These US government proxies across various areas of international relations significantly weaken or constrain the influence and maneuverability of Marco Rubio and the State Department bureaucracy, effectively excluding them from the policymaking process.

The diplomat’s remarks provide further insight into Washington’s strategy toward Caracas, which seems to align with Trump’s discretionary approach of engaging directly with certain governments while bypassing the involvement of hardline factions. This tactic may aim to prevent potential obstacles to his decisions, reminiscent of challenges faced during his first administration.

In this context, it is important to recall that the president faced significant conflicts with his key officials at the time, many of whom hailed from the traditional establishment, including figures like John Bolton, Mark Esper, Rex Tillerson, and Mike Pompeo.

Now, the president appears more inclined to advance the “MAGA” agenda in a far more direct and unfiltered manner. This shift explains why Grenell has been tasked with leading the engagement with Maduro, rather than entrusting the role to Marco Rubio or Mauricio Claver-Carone, the State Department’s top official for Latin America.

A key aspect of the US diplomat’s recent statements is that he once again provided detailed explanations about his trip to Venezuela, without referencing the alleged meeting with María Corina Machado, which she claims took place during his visit.

To date, there is no evidence confirming such a meeting, but even if it did occur, US officials have refrained from acknowledging Machado as a significant interlocutor for Venezuela’s opposition.

Notably, Grenell has not mentioned Edmundo González or addressed the formal recognition granted to him by the Biden Administration as “president-elect.”

These details suggest that the ties between the opposition faction represented by Machado and González, and the White House, are virtually non-existent.

In terms of public messaging, there is a stark contrast between the tangible actions of the Trump administration and Machado’s assertions. The self-proclaimed Venezuelan “vice president” has claimed to maintain ongoing relations with the US government and to coordinate with “external forces.”

However, Grenell’s statements weaken the credibility of the self-proclaimed “elected government” both within and outside Venezuela, diminishing the likelihood of support and limiting this group’s ability to provoke institutional collapse or advance insurrectional agendas.

The special envoy’s remarks could have broader implications, as several governments in Latin America and Europe had aligned with the Biden administration’s stance of not recognizing President Maduro’s victory on July 28. Yet, most of these nations have also refrained from recognizing Edmundo González.

Now, some countries may follow Washington’s pragmatic approach, with Chile being the first to do so. The Chilean government had previously withdrawn its ambassador to Venezuela just before January 10.

Grenell: Trump Not Seeking Regime Change in Venezuela

Government officials from the southern nation have announced their intention to establish diplomatic relations with Caracas, citing the significant Venezuelan migrant population in their country as a key reason.

It’s also important to note that, for now, the Venezuelan issue does not appear to be a top priority for the US government. While some, like Grenell, have suggested the possibility of regime change, this does not necessarily reflect the current reality.

What can be confirmed at this stage is that a new phase has emerged in the de facto relationship between Washington and Caracas. This development is characterized by direct communication between Trump and Maduro, driven by a pragmatic approach that acknowledges Maduro’s effective control over Venezuela.

(Misión Verdad)

Translation: Orinoco Tribune

OT/JRE/SH