Mauricio Claver-Carone, an unofficial adviser to the Trump administration who held significant sway over U.S. policy in Venezuela, has announced he is no longer overseeing the portfolio. Claver-Carone, a Miami-based businessman, reported directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and acted as a key architect of the administration’s approach to the OPEC state’s vast oil resources and debt obligations following the January 3 raid that captured President Nicolas Maduro.

His departure marks a shift in the handling of Venezuelan assets, which have been subject to heavy U.S. influence since Maduro was replaced by former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. While Claver-Carone stated his exit was voluntary, multiple sources familiar with the matter indicated he was forced out in recent weeks due to concerns over his informal yet powerful position. The State Department confirmed he holds no formal government role, dismissing claims of removal as inaccurate.

Key Financial and Policy Actions

During his tenure, Claver-Carone wielded considerable influence over financial decisions potentially worth billions of dollars. His most notable action involved facilitating a contract for Centerview Partners to restructure Venezuela’s approximately $200 billion debt. The deal, valued at more than $150 million, was awarded without a competitive bidding process, drawing scrutiny from investors and officials.

Claver-Carone also helped arrange talks between the Venezuelan government and opposition leaders scheduled for August 1 and weighed in on various oil deals. Critics within the administration, including former ambassador Richard Grenell, questioned whether a private citizen controlling a private equity fund was the appropriate figure to oversee such lucrative opportunities. Claver-Carone denied that he or his fund held any financial stake in Venezuela.

Controversies and Intermediaries

The adviser’s approach relied heavily on behind-the-scenes negotiations and the use of intermediaries. One such figure was Alejandro Betancourt, a prominent Venezuelan businessman with a history of corruption and money laundering investigations in the United States, which he denies. Claver-Carone acknowledged using Betancourt as an intermediary with Rodriguez’s government, citing his understanding of the oil business in both countries as a bridge between parties.

This reliance on private operators and non-transparent deal-making ruffled feathers within the State Department and among some Trump allies. Some argued Claver-Carone was too close to certain Venezuelan political operators, raising questions about conflicts of interest and governance standards. Despite these concerns, Claver-Carone maintained that his efforts were aimed at ensuring the success of President Trump’s policy by filling gaps early in the administration’s second term.

What the Numbers Show

The financial structure of the post-Maduro transition reveals a concentration of high-value contracts in the hands of firms selected through informal channels rather than open market competition. The awarding of a $150 million mandate to Centerview Partners for a $200 billion debt restructuring represents a significant commitment of potential fees based on non-competitive selection. This pattern suggests that the primary driver of immediate financial activity in Venezuela is not market-driven bidding but diplomatic leverage exercised through unofficial advisers. The absence of competitive processes introduces opacity into how billions in state assets are being managed, potentially affecting investor confidence and long-term fiscal stability for the country.

Caleb Orr, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, will remain a key decision-maker on the team, according to an internal State Department chart seen by Reuters. Orr had been working closely with Claver-Carone, indicating that while the informal advisory layer has shifted, the core bureaucratic apparatus managing Venezuela’s economic reintegration remains intact.