WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Friday sent an envoy to Venezuela to warn leftist leader Nicolas Maduro to accept the unconditional return of deported Venezuelans or face consequences.

Richard Grenell, an outspoken ally of Trump who serves in a broad role as envoy for special missions, travelled to Caracas to speak to Maduro as the new administration vows to push a hard line.

“President Trump expects Nicolas Maduro to take back all of the Venezuelan criminals and gang members that have been exported to the United States, and to do so unequivocally and without condition,” said Mauricio Claver-Carone, the US special envoy for Latin America.

He said that Grenell was also demanding that “American hostages need to be released — immediately, unequivocally.” “All I would do on this call is urge the Maduro government — the Maduro regime — in Venezuela, to heed to Special Envoy Ric Grenell and to his demands and what he puts on the table, because ultimately, there will be consequences otherwise,” Claver-Carone told reporters.

Venezuela’s communication minister, Freddy Nanez, confirmed on Telegram a meeting between Grenell and Maduro, who was recently sworn in for a third term despite widespread international concerns about irregularities in the election.

Claver-Carone said that the talks did not imply any softening of position on Maduro. The previous administration of Joe Biden agreed to relax sanctions on oil as part of a deal for American prisoners and free elections but slapped them back after Maduro did not follow suit on democracy demands.

“This is not a quid pro quo, is not a negotiation in exchange for anything. President Trump himself has made very clear we don’t need Venezuelan oil,” Claver-Carone said.

Trump has made deporting undocumented people in the United States a top priority and on Sunday vowed crushing tariffs on a close US ally, Colombia, after its president called for more humane treatment of repatriated citizens. The Trump administration quickly ended protections from deportation for the estimated 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States.

The Biden administration had allowed them to stay due to the fears for their safety if they return to Venezuela.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2025