Mauricio Claver-Carone, the special envoy for Latin America, plans to depart from his role in the Trump Administration later this month to rejoin the private sector. Claver-Carone, of Cuban descent, previously served during Trump's first term and is set to leave his position within a few weeks, according to Bloomberg.
He will resume his role as co-director of the LARA Fund, a private equity firm located in Miami. Due to his status as a special government employee, Claver-Carone is restricted to serving no more than 130 days without Senate confirmation.
As a Cuban-American and former president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Claver-Carone played a key role in Trump's first term (2017-2021) as the Principal Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs on the National Security Council. When appointed for this second term, Trump praised his expertise in the region.
"For the past four years, chaos and lawlessness have plagued our borders. It's time to restore order in our hemisphere. Mauricio understands the region and knows how to prioritize America's interests," Trump stated on social media. He further emphasized that Claver-Carone would "tirelessly work to protect the American people" from threats like illegal mass migration and fentanyl trafficking.
During his second appointment, Claver-Carone maintained a strong stance against Latin American dictatorships and was involved in some off-script confrontations, including criticism of Javier Milei's economic policies.
Claver-Carone's Professional Journey
Claver-Carone made history as the first American to lead the IDB, though his tenure ended amid controversy. In September 2022, he was dismissed following an investigation that uncovered alleged intimate relationships with an employee, violating the organization's ethical codes. Claver-Carone denied the allegations, but the IDB's Board of Governors decided to remove him, citing financial favoritism towards his alleged partner.
During his time at the IDB, Claver-Carone sought to restructure the institutional power dynamics, aiming to reduce the influence of countries like Argentina and Brazil while elevating smaller nations.
Mauricio Claver-Carone's Departure: Key Questions Answered
Why is Mauricio Claver-Carone leaving the Trump Administration?
Claver-Carone is leaving to return to the private sector, specifically to co-direct the LARA Fund, due to the limited duration he can serve as a special government employee without Senate confirmation.
What role did Claver-Carone play in the Trump Administration?
He served as the Principal Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs on the National Security Council, focusing on protecting U.S. interests in Latin America.
What led to Claver-Carone's dismissal from the IDB?
His dismissal followed an investigation that revealed alleged ethical violations, including intimate relationships with an employee, which he denied. The IDB's Board of Governors decided to terminate his position.