Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Miami-based businessman and unofficial adviser to the Trump administration, has announced that he is no longer overseeing the Venezuela portfolio. Claver-Carone had played a leading role in shaping U.S. Venezuela policy and multimillion-dollar deals to exploit the OPEC state’s vast oil resources.

Background

Claver-Carone reported to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has spearheaded Venezuela policy. Though he held no formal government position, he emerged as one of the Trump administration’s most influential players on Venezuela since the January 3 U.S. raid that captured President Nicolas Maduro.

Claver-Carone’s departure was reportedly voluntary, although multiple sources familiar with the matter say he was forced out in recent weeks. During his tenure, Claver-Carone wielded heavy influence over decisions that could eventually be worth billions of dollars, from debt restructuring to oil deals.

Impact

Claver-Carone was key to U.S. firm Centerview Partners clinching a contract – worth more than $150 million with no competitive bidding process – to restructure Venezuela’s some $200 billion of debt. He also helped arrange talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition leaders scheduled for August 1 and weighed in on oil deals, including some cases in which companies were awarded potentially lucrative business.

It remains to be seen how dramatic a change in how the U.S. handles business in Venezuela will be signaled by the shakeup. Caleb Orr, the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, who had been working in lockstep with Claver-Carone, will remain a key decision-maker on the team.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.