Biden Official Shocked by What Trump’s Team Was Just Able To Do With Venezuela

Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell returned from Venezuela on Friday with significant developments, including the release of six Americans detained in the country and an agreement for Venezuela to repatriate its citizens who entered the U.S. illegally, including members of the 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, leading to the return of both American detainees and an agreement from Venezuela to cover the cost of deporting its citizens.

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Grenell’s negotiations resulted in the release of six Americans who had been held in Venezuela.

The details of their detention were not widely reported, and the Biden administration had not publicly acknowledged their plight before Grenell’s intervention.

The situation mirrored another recent diplomatic effort, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio 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. Why else would they not criticize the failure of the Biden Administration to even visit Americans in prison in Venezuela?” Grenell wrote on X.

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 citizens, including those involved in gang activity in the U.S. 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.

A former Biden administration official, who also served under Obama in the State Department and the 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.

While the Biden-Harris administration had not publicly addressed the detained Americans or sought to enforce repatriation agreements, the Trump team managed to secure both within weeks of taking office.

The developments signal a return to the “peace through strength” strategy, where decisive action and firm demands result in immediate outcomes.

With Venezuela now agreeing to take back its citizens and a growing number of Americans being freed from foreign detainment, the approach is already showing results.

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