Former Trump Aide Seeks Middle East Investors for Latin America

A former adviser to Donald Trump is working to bring Middle East private equity investment to Latin America, tapping a longtime Ecuadorian diplomat to lead the overtures for a fund and capitalize on the president-elect’s return to office.

Mauricio Claver-Carone, who served as the National Security Council senior director for the Western Hemisphere in Trump’s first term, has tapped Ivonne A-Baki as senior adviser and co-chairman of Miami-based LARA Fund, where he’s a managing partner. They’re looking to raise almost a half billion dollars, and have so far gotten commitments for about half of the first $100 million fund.