Trump Team Pissed After Top Official “Went Rogue” on Venezuela
Landau’s messages to foreign officials about Machado’s return caused confusion and internal disputes, as the State Department said U.S. policy was to block her travel.
- Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau reportedly miscommunicated U.S. policy twice regarding Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to foreign officials, falsely suggesting the U.S. was facilitating her return, Axios reported on Wednesday.
- Following Venezuela's June 24 earthquakes that killed more than 3,600 people, Machado sought to return despite lacking a valid Venezuelan passport, though the Trump administration's official position prohibited assisting her entry.
- Landau told Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha on June 26 that arrangements were underway, texting "Perfect description of our position," while telling Netherlands' Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar the move was "U.S. policy and it's supported by Secretary Rubio."
- Landau's miscommunications roiled the State Department for two days, prompting internal arguments and international confusion, with sources telling Axios "There's a widespread belief that Landau went rogue" and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unhappy with the deputy.
- Aboard Air Force One on yesterday evening, President Donald Trump denied preventing Machado's return, stating "I did not tell her to not go back. I think she's a good person," while Landau maintained he never misrepresented policy.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Donald Trump denied this Wednesday having ordered or asked Maria Corina Machado not to return to Venezuela, in a surprising turn after blockades and anonymous criticisms leaked in Washington against the opposition to the chavista dictatorship. Asked aboard the Air Force One back from the NATO summit for the information published in recent days about the blockade at the entrance of the opposition leader into his country, the president responded w…
EFE The President of the United States, Donald Trump, denied this Wednesday asking Maria Corina Machado not to return to Venezuela after the earthquakes that shook the country, after versions of alleged restrictions or recommendations of his Administration emerged to prevent the trip. “No, not at all. How am I going to say that?” Trump responded by being asked by journalists aboard the Air Force One during his return to Washington from Turkey, a…
Donald Trump has denied this Wednesday that he has prevented or vetoed Maria Corina Machado's return to Venezuela. "No, no, not at all. How am I going to say that to her (that I don't...
How a top State Dept. official "went rogue" over Machado's Venezuela plans
The Trump administration's official position about Venezuela's exiled opposition leader is simple: Don't help Maria Corina Machado gain entry to her home country. But Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau didn't appear to get the memo.Landau is suspected of twice miscommunicating U.S. policy to two countries about Machado, according to seven senior administration officials.Why it matters: Landau's alleged freelancing roiled the State Department…
Secret leaks reveal Marco Rubio’s deputy going 'rogue'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a deputy he can't seem to rein in, seven senior officials told Axios. According to the report, Chris Landau, Rubio's second at the State Department, is secretly working to undermine President Donald Trump in Venezuela, where his father once served as the ambassador. “There’s a widespread belief that Landau went rogue,” said one Axios source. “And the evidence supports that belief.” Another staffer added: “Marco…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
