Richard Grenell, President Trump’s choice to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has been pursuing talks to try to keep Venezuela in the South American bloc of nations, which include some of America’s toughest critics in Latin America.
The effort to discuss the future of Venezuela, which recently sent a surprise warning to the United States over its policies on Maduro’s regime, comes amid a remarkable political upheaval, with more than 100 people killed over the past several months.
The U.S. government has not responded to the notification by the Maduro regime that the warning would come as it decides whether to press for a coup in the next few days. The U.S. has taken a hard line against Maduro, and has held up some financial instruments and blocked countries that do business with him.
Grenell, who had worked as a Fox News commentator, told The Daily Beast that he has received a few requests from foreign governments in recent weeks for talks.
“If there are other countries interested in pursuing dialogue, that would be great, but if Venezuela holds on to itself, I’ll remain there to do my duty,” he said.
Grenell said his mission at the United Nations would be “to continue to promote human rights, promote democracy, promote a free and fair electoral process.”
During his time as a Fox News contributor, Grenell did not endorse any candidates in the 2016 election, and didn’t describe which politicians he supported.
