US interior secretary is in Venezuela to discuss critical minerals

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on Wednesday met in Venezuela with acting President Delcy Rodríguez in the latest sign of the Trump administration’s intent to exercise control over the South American country’s natural resources.

Burgum, who leads U.S. President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, and Rodríguez met with representatives of U.S. and Venezuelan mining companies. The U.S. diplomatic mission in Venezuela characterized the two-day visit as “another vital and historic step” that backs the administration’s phased plan to turn Venezuela around.

“Venezuela is a rich rich country filled with both oil and gas resources but also rich in critical minerals,” Burgum told reporters standing next to Rodríguez at the presidential palace, adding that the more than two dozen companies accompanying him are eager to work in Venezuela’s mining sector. “They represent billions of dollars in investment and thousands of dollars in high-paying jobs.”

Burgum is the latest U.S. official to travel to Caracas to meet with Rodríguez, who was sworn in following the capture by U.S. forces of then-President Nicolás Maduro two months ago. His trip follows a February visit by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, which was focused on the country’s oil potential.

Laura Dogu, the U.S. top diplomat in Venezuela, joined Burgum for the meeting with Rodríguez.

The Trump administration last month announced that it wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies and partners to defend against China’s hold on the key elements needed for everything from fighter jets to smartphones.

In addition to oil, Venezuela is rich in gold, copper, coltan, bauxite, diamonds and other precious mined resources, while unsafe working conditions are common in the poorly regulated industry.

“Delcy Rodríguez, who is the President of Venezuela, is doing a great job, and working with U.S. Representatives very well,” Trump said on his social media platform TruthSocial while Rodríguez and Burgum were meeting. “The Oil is beginning to flow, and the professionalism and dedication between both Countries is a very nice thing to see!”

Rodríguez on Wednesday announced she will introduce a bill to overhaul the country’s mining law. The change, expected to attract foreign investments, will be “a win for the social well-being of our people.”

“May the Venezuelan people also see the good aspects of having good relations with the world and with the United States of America,” she told reporters.

Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela’s rich oil and mineral resources.

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