On December 15, 2024, US President-elect Trump (Trump) announced on Saturday (December 14) that he has selected former Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Richard Grenell to serve as the President’s Special Envoy. Grenell will focus on American affairs concerning countries such as North Korea and Venezuela.
Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Richard “will be working in some of the world’s most volatile regions, including Venezuela and North Korea.” Richard will continue to fight for “peace through strength” and always put “America first.”
The incoming president did not further elaborate on Grenell’s specific responsibilities in his statement. Sources from Trump’s transition team told Reuters that Grenell will also focus on the tense situation in the Balkan Peninsula.
Grenell served as the US Ambassador to Germany, Acting Director of National Intelligence, and the Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations during Trump’s first term. Previously, he worked at the United Nations Security Council for eight years.
Typically, US presidents appoint special envoys or ambassadors to focus on global issues, crises, or specific diplomatic matters.
Both North Korea and Venezuela are hostile countries to the United States. Reuters previously reported that Trump had considered direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in hopes of reducing the risk of armed conflict.
During the US presidential campaign, Trump referred to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a dictator. Maduro stated that Trump’s reelection is a “new starting point” for bilateral relations.
During his first term, Trump imposed stricter sanctions on Venezuela, especially on its key oil industry. Maduro announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the United States in 2019.
Republican US Senator Bill Hagerty welcomed Grenell’s appointment as the President’s Special Envoy. He stated on the social media platform X that Grenell played a crucial role during Trump’s first term and “he will handle some of the most serious challenges in the world excellently.”