Delcy Rodríguez has announced plans for stronger cooperation with the United States to develop the mining industry in Venezuela following high-level talks with Doug Burgum in Caracas. The meeting took place at the presidential palace and marks the second visit by a U.S. cabinet secretary since the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Venezuelan officials, the government is preparing new reforms that would open the country’s mining sector to foreign investors. The proposed changes are expected to allow large international companies to extract minerals and rare earth elements from Venezuela’s resource-rich territory. Jorge Rodríguez, who leads the country’s Congress and is the interim president’s brother, said the reforms would enable major foreign firms to participate in mining activities.
Venezuela possesses vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds and several rare earth minerals used in modern technologies such as mobile phones and electronics. However, illegal mining has expanded in recent years, raising concerns among environmental groups about deforestation, pollution and the involvement of criminal networks.
The United States previously accused Nicolás Maduro and members of his administration of leading criminal activities, including illegal mining and drug trafficking. Maduro has consistently denied the allegations and is expected to face trial in the United States later this month.
After the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Rodríguez’s cooperation with American officials and said the two countries were building a positive relationship.
Rodríguez also urged Venezuelan lawmakers to support the planned reforms so that international investment can flow into the country’s mining sector. Burgum noted that more than two dozen U.S. mining companies were present at the discussions, representing billions of dollars in potential investment and thousands of new jobs.