![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Elliott-Abrams-640x480.jpg\")
<\/a>AP\/Manuel Balce Ceneta<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
by Kristina Wong
\nBREITBART<\/p>\n
President Trump on Friday appointed former Never Trumper Elliott Abrams as the United States\u2019 envoy to Venezuela.<\/h2>\n
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the news at the State Department during a press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday I am incredibly excited to announce that a seasoned, principled, and tough-minded foreign policy veteran is joining our State Department team. Elliott Abrams is coming aboard to lead our efforts on Venezuela,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pompeo said Abrams would travel with him to the United Nations Security Council in New York on Friday, where the U.S. has called a meeting to urge other nations to support Venezuela\u2019s democratic transition.<\/p>\n
The appointment drew surprise in Washington, due to Abrams\u2019 vocal opposition to Trump during the 2016 elections, and his reputation as a neoconservative.<\/p>\n
But Pompeo said Abrams would be a \u201cperfect fit.\u201d He said:<\/p>\n
Elliott\u2019s passion for the rights and liberties of all peoples makes him a perfect fit and a valuable and timely addition. This week, the Venezuelan people have rejected former President Maduro\u2019s illegitimate rule. Consistent with Venezuela\u2019s constitution, and with the support of the Venezuelan people and the National Assembly, Juan Guaido has declared himself the interim president of Venezuela.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Abrams said in a brief statement that it was \u201cvery nice to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI left this building 30 years ago this week, last time I worked here. So it\u2019s very nice to be back. This crisis in Venezuela is deep and difficult and dangerous, and I can\u2019t wait to get to work on it. Thank you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Abrams served under President Ronald Reagan as assistant secretary of state for human rights and humanitarian affairs and assistant secretary for inter-American affairs.<\/p>\n
Under President George W. Bush, he served on the National Security Council as the\u00a0senior director for democracy, human rights, and international affairs; the senior director for North African and Near East affairs; and the deputy national security adviser for global democracy strategy.<\/p>\n
Abrams was reportedly\u00a0considered<\/a>\u00a0for deputy secretary of state until Trump learned that he had criticized him during the campaign.<\/p>\n