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After presenting a new strategy on Latin America to a crowd of right-wing Venezuelans and Colombians in Florida, the US National Security Adviser traveled to the two Latin American nations, emphasizing "maximum pressure" towards Venezuela.
On Monday, the top Trump administration official for national security began the tour to key U.S. allies to discuss Venezuela, China, and private investment.
Just a day before, on Sunday, O'Brien met with conservative ex-pats at the Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach, hoping to galvanize support for President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. His "Back to the Americas" initiative, meant to "promote democracy and economic growth" in the region, includes economic support for U.S. allies Colombia and Panama to counter China's increased regional presence and investments in infrastructure.
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Other political and military officials joined O'Brien—who in September 2019 replaced John Bolton—on the U.S. government delegation, such as Craig Faller, head of the U.S. Southern Command; Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trump's nominee to the Inter-American Development Bank; and Phillip Goldberg, U.S. ambassador to Colombia.
Trump's chief adviser on Latin America, Claver-Carone made it clear that the priority of O'Brien's trip was Venezuela, an issue which "concerns Washington," he stated.
Great discussions with President @IvanDuque today! @realDonaldTrump sends his greetings and is proud to call #Colombia our friend. The US has been, and will remain, committed to helping #Colombian security and prosperity. https://t.co/IfLaM543Bo
— NSC (@WHNSC) August 17, 2020
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