Venezuela’s president vows mining reform amid visit from US cabinet member | Donald Trump News
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Meets Venezuela’s Interim President Amid Resource Talks
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas this week, as part of an initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump to increase oil and mineral production in the South American country.
Following their discussions on Wednesday, Rodriguez announced plans to submit a proposal to reform Venezuela’s mining laws to the national legislature in the coming days.
Burgum expressed optimism about the potential for strengthening economic relations between the two nations. “The opportunities for collaboration and synergy between Venezuela and the United States are unlimited,” he stated during a press briefing.
Accompanying Burgum were representatives from nearly a dozen companies interested in accessing Venezuela’s natural resources. “They are eager to get started and to cut the red tape to allow that capital investment to flow,” he added.
The discussions occur in the context of rising economic ties between the two countries, following a military operation on January 3 that sought to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The operation has faced criticism for allegedly violating Venezuelan sovereignty, with U.N. experts labeling it a “grave violation of international law.”
In the aftermath of the military action, the Trump administration has pushed for greater access to Venezuela’s nationalized resources. Trump has asserted a U.S. claim to Venezuelan oil, referring to the country’s nationalization efforts as “the greatest theft in the history of America.” Venezuela is known for possessing some of the largest oil reserves globally, alongside significant deposits of gold, copper, diamonds, coltan, and other minerals.
Burgum acknowledged this wealth of resources during his remarks. “Venezuela is a rich, rich country filled with both oil and gas resources, as well as critical minerals,” he said.
However, critics have raised concerns about potential exploitation by the U.S. International law asserts that countries have permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, and violations of this principle are seen as infringements on the right to self-determination. The Rodriguez administration has faced pressure from Trump to align its policies with U.S. interests.
In an interview with The Atlantic in January, Trump warned Rodriguez that failure to comply with U.S. expectations could result in severe consequences. Following this, in late January, Rodriguez signed laws expanding private investment in the state-controlled oil sector, a key priority for the Trump administration. Her government has also transferred at least 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the U.S., with Trump directing the disbursement of proceeds.
The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela has characterized Burgum’s visit as a “vital and historic step” in a “three-phase plan” intended to benefit both nations. It emphasized a commitment to developing a legitimate mining sector and ensuring safe critical mineral supply chains.
Due to ongoing economic challenges, an informal mining sector has emerged in Venezuela, often lacking regulatory oversight. This has led to hazardous working conditions, exemplified by a recent incident in which heavy rainfall caused a gold mine to collapse, resulting in 14 fatalities.
