WASHINGTON/BOGOTA, Jan 31 (Reuters) - U.S. President's envoy Richard Grenell is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday in Venezuela, as confirmed by both countries. This comes amidst a deportation and anti-gang campaign by the Trump administration that has stirred unease across Latin America.
The two nations have a strained recent history marked by severed diplomatic ties, sanctions, and allegations of illicit activities and coup attempts. However, they share common interests, including U.S. oil major Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela, the detention of American citizens in Venezuela, and the comprehensive immigration crackdown initiated by the Trump administration.
President Trump indicated last week that his administration is likely to "pull out" of Venezuela and is seriously considering actions in the South American country. Trump has pledged to expel members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua from the United States, possibly working on an agreement with El Salvador for their reception.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab mentioned last week that the government had effectively dismantled the gang in 2023 and expressed readiness to resume legal cooperation with the U.S. for the extradition of the gang's Venezuelan members.
The meeting between Grenell and Maduro is not intended as a negotiation, clarified Mauricio Claver-Carone, U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America. Claver-Carone emphasized that The United States and President Trump expect Nicolas Maduro to repatriate all Venezuelan criminals and gang members exported to the United States, without conditions, just as we would expect from any other nation, and this is non-negotiable.
The exact number of American or dual citizens detained by Venezuela remains unclear, although Venezuelan officials have publicly mentioned at least nine cases. Maduro's administration has accused most of them of terrorism and labeled some as high-ranking "mercenaries."
Venezuela has frequently alleged that members of the opposition and foreign detainees collude with U.S. entities, such as the Central Intelligence Agency, to plan terrorist activities, a claim dismissed by U.S. authorities.
Regarding American hostages detained in Venezuela, Claver-Carone insisted that they are not only unacceptable but must be released immediately.
In late 2023, Venezuela released multiple prisoners, including ten Americans, after extensive negotiations, reciprocated by the U.S. releasing a close associate of Maduro.
Venezuela's communications ministry confirmed via Telegram on Friday that the meeting will take place.
The Biden administration reinstated comprehensive oil sanctions in April after deeming Maduro had reneged on commitments for a fair presidential election the preceding year. Maduro's victory in that poll, backed by his government, is disputed by the opposition, global observers, and numerous Western nations, including the U.S., where Rubio has recognized opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela's "legitimate president."
Moreover, the Biden administration imposed targeted sanctions on numerous officials and called for the capture or conviction of leaders like Maduro, limiting Trump's options for further sanctions. Maduro's government has consistently rejected sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other nations, decrying them as unauthorized measures constituting an "economic war" aimed at crippling Venezuela.
Trump pursued a "maximum pressure" sanction strategy against Maduro during his first term, referring to the Venezuelan leader during his 2024 U.S. campaign. Rubio, a vocal critic of Maduro, conversed with Gonzalez and fellow opposition leader Maria Corina Machado by phone the previous week.
Grenell announced after Trump's inauguration that he was in discussions with Venezuelan officials and intended to meet with the opposition, although any meeting with Gonzalez, who was present at Trump's inauguration, remains undisclosed.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that Chevron is striving to safeguard its special license from the U.S. enabling operations in Venezuela. Chevron CEO Mike Wirth conveyed intentions to engage with the White House after Rubio suggested reevaluating the license. Wirth warned that if Chevron is ousted, China and Russia would enhance their influence in the oil-rich nation.
Trump initiated a , vowing widespread deportations. Over the past decade, millions of Venezuelans have fled their country, with many settling in various parts of Latin America and others migrating to the U.S.
Approximately 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. were eligible for under the Biden administration, yet U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to reduce the duration of these protections. Noem is deliberating whether to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans whose benefits expire in April.
The Maduro government has affirmed that returning Venezuelans will be welcomed, without specifying if they will accept deportation flights under Trump. Venezuelan officials have suggested they may refuse migrant flights due to sanctions.
The Venezuelan opposition expressed in a statement on Thursday full support for U.S. measures against groups like Tren de Aragua, emphasizing the significance of TPS or a similar initiative for the welfare of law-abiding migrants.