Staff Reports
Last Friday marked a significant triumph in the realm of international relations, as Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Ric Grenell, made strides with Venezuela. His mission was clear: persuade Venezuela to repatriate its citizens who had crossed illegally into the United States, including members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. The stakes were high, and Grenell made it evident that if Venezuela failed to comply, there would be real “consequences” to face.
The result of this decisive mission was the successful return of six American hostages who had previously been detained in Venezuela. This type of strength and assertiveness in diplomacy is a breath of fresh air, especially considering the lackluster approach from the current administration. It raises a pertinent question: Who even knew there were American nationals being held captive in Venezuela? And what about the Americans stuck in Belarus, which the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently addressed? The absence of media coverage on these issues from the Biden administration is staggering, especially when contrasted with the efficacy of the Trump team now stepping up to resolve these matters.
In a pointed critique, Grenell called out the mainstream media for their failure to highlight these serious situations and hold the Biden administration accountable for its inaction. The lack of attention given to American citizens imprisoned abroad is a disservice to their plight. In the diplomatic playbook, ensuring a basic wellness check on these individuals should be standard procedure. Instead, the Americans in Venezuela received no assistance from prominent figures in the Biden administration, exemplifying a staggering gap in leadership. In stark contrast, it took just 11 days for Donald Trump to secure the freedom of hostages during his presidency.
Ric Grenell Has More Good News From Venezuela Mission, Plus He Answers Biden Official on How to 'Lead'https://t.co/3nnWtP1u2l
— RedState (@RedState) February 2, 2025
Grenell’s triumph didn’t stop with the release of hostages. It was announced that Venezuela has now agreed to facilitate the repatriation of their citizens back home, even covering the costs of their return flights. This is not just a win; it’s an echoing success for the Trump administration and a clear commentary on the current administration’s shortcomings. A former official from the Biden team could hardly fathom how this was achieved, labeled it as “inconceivable,” but perhaps he should reevaluate what effective leadership looks like.
In response, Grenell served a sharp retort that left little room for doubt. The chaos that has brewed under Biden’s watch speaks volumes, and it’s no surprise that the Biden team struggles to comprehend the straightforward and reasonable advancements made by their predecessors. With no region of the globe being more secure after four years of the Biden administration, it becomes painfully clear that strength and the promise of consequences drive successful negotiations. In the realm of diplomacy, Grenell’s happiness in making such an impactful difference stands in stark contrast to the inaction and indifference that have characterized the current administration’s approach.
