In an unexpected turn of events, President Trump’s special envoy, Ric Grenell, reportedly caught administration officials off guard this week by flying to Antigua on a private jet.
Without prior authorization, Grenell sought to recover Joe St. Clair, an Air Force veteran who had been held captive for six months by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Announcing his return on social media, Grenell posted a picture of himself and St. Clair on their way back to Washington, DC.
However, an informed source within the administration indicated that Grenell’s actions were not well received.
According to this source, Grenell “blindsided the president and the White House,” raising questions about communication and protocols within the administration.
Records obtained by The Post show that the private jet used by Grenell is registered in Florida to Bill Stone, chairman and CEO of SS&C Technologies, based in Windsor, Connecticut.
Efforts to reach Stone for comment were unsuccessful as of Friday.
Insiders speculate that Grenell’s trip was an attempt to leverage pressure on Trump regarding the extension of Chevron’s license to import Venezuelan oil, which is set to expire on May 27.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the impending expiration in a statement on X.
Grenell’s surprise trip had repercussions within Congress, threatening to complicate the passage of Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Three South Florida Republicans—Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez—indicated they would withhold support if the Chevron license was extended, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
Despite these tensions, the bill ultimately cleared the House with a narrow vote of 215-214, with all three Florida representatives voting in favor.
Back in February, Trump had revoked all licenses for U.S.-based businesses operating in Venezuela, citing frustrations with Maduro, who declared himself the winner of last year’s presidential election without providing evidence of a fair election process.
“I am hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing a November 2022 oil transaction agreement and the unmet electoral conditions set for the Maduro regime.
On March 24, Trump further asserted his stance by issuing an executive order that imposed a 25% tariff on any country that imports Venezuelan oil.
Amidst the backdrop of Grenell’s trip, he claimed during a podcast hosted by former White House strategist Steve Bannon that Trump was prepared to extend the May 27 deadline by an additional 60 days, contingent on progress from Maduro’s regime.
According to Grenell, this extension was authorized if there was sufficient progress or confidence-building between the United States and Venezuela.
He expressed hopes that being able to bring St. Clair back to the U.S. would signal a willingness from Maduro to cooperate.
“We want to put America first and do what’s best for America. That means making sure that the Chinese do not take the Venezuelan oil,” Grenell emphasized on the podcast.
This statement, however, led to widespread confusion and prompted reporters to seek clarification from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who was asked to explain the discrepancies in messaging regarding Chevron.
Bruce reiterated the administration’s position, confirming that Secretary Rubio was the authoritative voice on these matters, emphasizing that the Chevron license would indeed expire.
“There’s no confusion,” Bruce asserted.
She underscored that the administration is committed to cutting off financial support for the Maduro regime, which has been characterized as oppressive and fraudulent in its electoral practices.
The State Department elaborated in a statement that the “Biden-era oil and gas licenses … benefitted Maduro’s regime,” and stressed the need to deny funds used to suppress the Venezuelan people.
As for Grenell’s motivations and future actions, he had previously expressed interest in the Secretary of State position before Trump appointed Rubio, but has not responded to requests for comment regarding his unauthorized trip.
This situation highlights the complex dynamics within the Trump administration and the challenges faced in handling U.S.-Venezuela relations.
image source from：https://nypost.com/2025/05/23/us-news/trump-venezuela-envoy-ric-grenell-in-hot-water-over-unapproved-jet-trip-to-pick-up-us-detainee/
