President Donald Trump’s Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell left the administration’s critics stunned after returning from Venezuela with a significant deal following negotiations.
As Slay News reported, Grenell negotiated the release of six Americans detained in the country and an agreement for Venezuela to repatriate its citizens who entered the U.S. illegally.
The agreement included Venezuela taking back illegal alien members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
Grenell’s mission delivered a direct message to Venezuelan officials: comply with U.S. demands or face consequences.
That message appears to have had an immediate impact.
It led to the return of both American detainees and an agreement that Venezuela would cover the cost of deporting its citizens.
The negotiations resulted in six American hostages returning home with Grenell on the flight back from Venezuela.
The details of their detention were not widely reported, however.
Former President Joe Biden’s administration had not publicly acknowledged the plight of the hostages before Grenell’s intervention.
The situation mirrored another recent diplomatic effort from the Trump admin.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also helped secure the release of an American from Belarus.
These successes have raised questions about why such efforts were not undertaken sooner by the previous administration.
On Saturday, Grenell took to social media to criticize both the Biden-Harris administration and the mainstream media for their silence on Americans detained abroad.
“It is not lost on me that most of the DC media failed to tell the truth about their partnership with the Biden Regime,” Grenell wrote on X.
“Why else would they not criticize the failure of the Biden Administration to even visit Americans in prison in Venezuela?”
He further called out the administration’s inaction, stating:
“The diplomatic standard is a wellness check, at least.
“These 6 Americans had ZERO help from Joe Biden, Anthony Blinken, or Jake Sullivan. Zero.
“Donald Trump freed them on Day 11.”
It is not lost on me that most of the DC media failed to tell the truth about their partnership with the Biden Regime.
Why else would they not criticize the failure of the Biden Administration to even visit Americans in prison in Venezuela?
The diplomatic standard is a… pic.twitter.com/k3Mr5MFET2
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 1, 2025
Beyond securing the hostages’ release, Grenell and Trump also announced that Venezuela has agreed to repatriate its illegal alien citizens.
The deal includes Venezuela paying for the return of illegals, including violent criminals and gang members.
The Venezuelan government has committed to covering the cost of return flights, marking a major policy shift.
The deal represents a significant win in the ongoing battle against illegal immigration, particularly given concerns over the rise of violent gang activity linked to Venezuelan nationals.
Former Biden administration official Brian P. McKeon, who also served in Obama’s State Department and Department of Defense, expressed shock that the Trump team was able to achieve this deal.
The official reportedly described it as “inconceivable” that such an agreement was reached so quickly.
It’s inconceivable that Maduro didn’t give something for the hostages and for agreeing to take deportees. A visit by Grenell wouldn’t be enough.
— Brian P. McKeon (@bpmckeon64) February 1, 2025
Grenell responded directly to that remark, saying:
“Of course it’s inconceivable for someone from the Biden team…
“They made chaos around the world because they didn’t show up or lead.
“There isn’t a region of the world that was safer after 4 years of Joe Biden’s Administration.”
Of course it’s inconceivable for someone from the Biden team…
They made chaos around the world because they didn’t show up or lead. There isn’t a region of the world that was safer after 4 years of Joe Biden’s Administration. https://t.co/ly16yWs1Dn
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 1, 2025
The swift action taken by Grenell and the Trump administration in Venezuela highlights a stark contrast in diplomatic approaches.
The Trump team managed to secure both within weeks of taking office after the Biden administration had not publicly addressed the detained Americans or sought to enforce repatriation agreements.
The developments signal a return to the “peace through strength” strategy.
Decisive action and firm demands from the Trump admin are already resulting in immediate outcomes.
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