BBC News – Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez and US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum have said the two countries will be working together to develop mining in the country.
Burgum, who leads President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, met Rodríguez at the presidential palace in Caracas, in the second visit by a US secretary since the US strikes and seizure of Nicolás Maduro in January.
Venezuela has already changed its law to allow more foreign investment in its previously nationalised oil sector.
Now the government is planning for similar reforms of its mining sector.
It hasn’t yet revealed the details, but the leader of the country’s Congress, Jorge Rodríguez, who is also the interim president’s brother, said the reforms would allow “large foreign companies” to mine minerals and rare earth elements.
As well as having the largest proven oil reserves in the world, Venezuela is rich in gold, diamonds, critical minerals and rare earth minerals – including some of those used in mobile phones.
Illegal mining has expanded in the country, with many environmentalists condemning the deforestation and pollution. Many criminal gangs have illegal mining operations and allegations of political corruption are rife.
The US accused Maduro – who is due to stand trial later in March in the US – and other members of his government of leading a criminal organisation involved in activities like illegal mining and drug trafficking. He always denied the allegations.
Following the meeting between Burgum and Rodríguez, Trump said she is doing a “great job” and working well with US representatives.
He added that the two nations had a “wonderful relationship” and that the US would benefit from “hundreds of millions of barrels of oil” that Washington was “taking out”.
He added that the US would “also make life wonderful for the people of Venezuela”.
The presidential palace is still covered in pictures of Maduro, including new posters of him and his wife with the hashtag: “We want them back.”
Following the meeting, in a joint statement to journalists at the presidential palace, Delcy Rodríguez urged fellow lawmakers to back the reforms so investments could come to the country.
She also said “we’re getting top marks on everything… 20 out of 20”, an apparent reference to the US being pleased with Venezuela’s co-operation so far.
After the seizure of Maduro, Trump warned Rodríguez to “do the right thing” or face similar consequences.
Burgum met with mining representatives from both countries at the event. He said there was “over two dozen American companies with us today, some of the biggest, strongest, best mining and minerals companies in the world”.
He said they represented “billions of dollars” of investment and thousands of new high paying jobs.
