MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US interior secretary highlights Venezuela’s mineral wealth, says cooperation has “no limits”

Burgum said US mining-related companies are “eager” to begin operating in Venezuela and underscored the country’s “mineral riches”

US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in Caracas on Wednesday that opportunities for cooperation between Washington and Venezuela “have no limits,” highlighting the South American country’s mineral potential during a visit focused on mining and access to critical minerals.

Burgum met at Miraflores palace with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and US representative in Venezuela Laura Dogu, in an encounter briefly filmed by local media. The agenda included contacts with executives from foreign mining companies and discussions around supply chains for critical minerals used across technology and energy industries.

According to EFE, Burgum said US mining-related companies are “eager” to begin operating in Venezuela and underscored the country’s “mineral riches.” “The opportunities for collaboration and synergy… have no limits,” he said.

The trip comes as Venezuela’s National Assembly prepares a reform of the main mining law in force since 1999. Reuters said the proposal would include provisions allowing foreign firms to exploit gold, diamonds and rare earths, as part of an effort to attract investment and provide greater regulatory certainty. EFE reported that Rodríguez called for speeding up the reform, aimed at broadening the legal framework to develop the sector with domestic and foreign capital.

Washington is seeking to expand US investment in Venezuela — particularly in oil, gas and minerals — after the US capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a January 3 operation and Rodríguez’s subsequent rise as interim leader. In that context, Rodríguez publicly thanked Donald Trump for his willingness to work on a bilateral agenda and cited a message from the US president: “Oil is starting to flow.”

Burgum is expected to meet oil and gas companies on Thursday to discuss expansion and investment projects.