Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau is suspected of twice miscommunicating U.S. policy to two countries regarding exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, according to seven senior administration officials. The Trump administration's official position instructs officials not to help Machado gain entry to her home country. Landau's alleged freelancing roiled the State Department for two days, leading to internal arguments and international confusion.
The controversy erupted after the June 24 earthquakes that killed more than 3,500 people in Venezuela. Machado, living in exile in the U.S. without a valid Venezuelan passport, sought to return for relief efforts. Administration officials interfered with her travel plans, telling Axios that her efforts amounted to "gross political opportunism."
"There's a widespread belief that Landau went rogue," one source told Axios. Another source noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "isn't happy" with Landau, who ranks second in the department. The episode has increased tensions with Machado supporters.
The allegations come as the U.S. maintains a delicate balancing act on Venezuela policy, seeking to pressure the Maduro regime without empowering exiled figures who could complicate diplomatic efforts. The State Department has not issued an official response to the claims about Landau's actions.