President Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, made a surprising move by flying a private jet to Antigua earlier this week to pick up Joe St. Clair, an Air Force veteran who has been detained in Venezuela for six months, without prior approval from Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Grenell announced on Tuesday that he had traveled to Antigua for the purpose of returning St. Clair to the U.S., sharing photos of their reunion upon their arrival in Washington, D.C.
However, according to a source familiar with the administration, this move caught Trump off guard. The insider mentioned, “Grenell blindsided the president and the White House.”
The source suggested that Grenell’s endeavor might be an attempt to pressure Trump into extending Chevron’s license to import oil from Venezuela, a point reiterated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media.
This unexpected trip jeopardized the passage of Trump’s significant legislation, as some members expressed that they would withhold support if the Chevron license wasn’t extended. It was first reported by Axios that the legislation narrowly passed with a 215-214 vote, with all three Florida representatives voting in favor.
In February, Trump had rescinded all licenses for U.S. companies operating in Venezuela, voicing his discontent with Maduro’s regime. He specified that Maduro had failed to provide transparent election results from the previous year.
Trump asserted on social media that his administration was reversing the concessions made by Biden in an oil trading agreement with Venezuela from November 2022. He further criticized the current administration for not repatriating violent criminals as agreed upon.
On March 24, Trump issued an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on countries importing oil from Venezuela. During Grenell’s Caribbean trip, he claimed on a podcast that Trump might extend the deadline set for May 27 if Maduro released St. Clair and showed a willingness to cooperate with the White House.
“President Trump has indicated that if we can build mutual confidence, the extension will be granted,” Grenell told the host. He also addressed the situation regarding Chevron in Venezuela.
Grenell’s comments led to some confusion, prompting White House spokesperson Tammy Bruce to clarify the administration’s stance on Chevron’s license, which is set to expire in May. She indicated that differing opinions exist but emphasized that Secretary Rubio is overseeing these decisions.
The State Department stated in a letter that the oil and gas licenses from the Biden era had financially benefited Maduro’s administration and were aimed at preventing funds that his government utilizes to suppress the Venezuelan populace.
“This action will be executed under the president’s directive to cut off the financial resources of an administration that consistently manipulates elections,” the statement noted.
Grenell, who was previously interested in the Secretary of State position, did not respond to queries for comments.
