In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the United States, has announced the appointment of Mauricio Claver-Carone as the head of the State Department’s Latin America division. The announcement comes just ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Claver-Carone, a 49-year-old Cuban-American, is no stranger to controversy. He previously served as the President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), a position he assumed in October 2020 following a nomination from Trump during his first term (2017-2021). However, Claver-Carone was ousted from the IADB following an ethical investigation that revealed he had engaged in a romantic relationship with a subordinate and granted her multiple salary increments.
Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform, expressed confidence in Claver-Carone’s abilities, stating, “Mauricio knows the region and how to put U.S. interests first. He also understands the grave threats we face from mass illegal immigration and fentanyl.”
Claver-Carone’s appointment to the IADB was marked by controversy. Despite Trump’s nomination, Latin American countries could not agree on a joint candidate, with countries like Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay endorsing the U.S., while Argentina withdrew its candidate amidst insufficient support. Eventually, these nations concurred to remove Claver-Carone in September 2021 after an external investigation, encouraged by IADB members, confirmed his improper conduct.
The appointment of Claver-Carone, given his past impeachment, is sure to spark debate and raise eyebrows among U.S. allies and critics alike in Latin America. It remains to be seen how his tenure at the State Department will unfold under Trump’s second term.
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