Venezuela, U.S. Announce Cooperation and Investments in Mining Sector
During the meeting, which included the U.S. business delegation, key information on investment flows and the implementation of new technologies for the Venezuelan mining sector was exchanged. Photo: Venezuelan Presidential Press.
March 4, 2026 Hour: 8:14 pm
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez and U.S. Scretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to discuss bilateral cooperation on minerals and energy, in a meeting aimed at strengthening the common agenda.
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met today, March 4, in Caracas to discuss expanded energy cooperation and investment opportunities in Venezuela’s rich mining sector, marking a significant high-level engagement between the two nations despite recent tensions.
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In this sense, Rodriguez stated that is “available, through cooperation channels, to address concrete agendas that benefit both the people of the United States and the people of Venezuela.”
Investment in Minerals
The initial meeting, which included a large U.S. business delegation, facilitated the exchange of key information regarding investment flows and the implementation of new technologies within the Venezuelan mining sector. The broad agenda encompasses both metallic and non-metallic, as well as strategic and non-strategic minerals.
In a move to streamline this economic collaboration, Acting President Rodriguez requested the swift cooperation of the National Assembly deputies for the approval of an expansion to the existing Mining Law. This legislative update aims to present national and international business sectors with new investment and development opportunities offered by the country, emphasizing the benefits of fostering strong international relations, particularly with the United States.
Rodriguez highlighted that President Donald Trump publicly welcomed this work agenda, underscoring the mutual interest in cooperation. In this sense, Venezuela reaffirmed its readiness to engage in concrete agendas, through established channels, that would yield benefits for both the people of the United States and Venezuela.
On his part, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum expressed satisfaction with the initiated collaboration with Venezuela. He stressed that the opportunities for synergy and cooperation between the two countries are “unlimited” and possess “truly astonishing” potential for both peoples.
“Venezuela is an extremely rich country, a country that contains large reserves not only of oil and gas, but also of critical minerals”, Burgum stated, underscoring the vast wealth of the South American nation. He also emphasized their geographical proximity, noting that “in this enormous world, we are geographical neighbors with much synergy.”
The U.S. official reiterated the “long history of synergy between our two countries of Venezuelan production with United States investments” and affirmed that “the opportunities at this moment are greater than ever.”
The investment opportunities became “extremely clear today, because we are accompanied by about two dozen U.S. companies, among the largest, strongest, and best in the world in minerals and mining,” many of which “already worked in Venezuela at some point during their history”, he said.
These companies, Burgum projected, represent “billions of dollars in investments and thousands of dollars in very well-paid jobs.”
Mining Law Expansion
Secretary Burgum’s visit holds significant geopolitical weight, as he is one of the highest-level officials from the Trump Administration to visit Venezuela following the military aggression on January, 3, which resulted in the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and the First Combatant Cilia Flores.
The timing of such a high-profile visit, particularly in the context of recent bilateral tensions, suggests a potential shift in diplomatic engagement and a renewed focus on practical cooperation, especially in the energy and mining sectors.
During a joint press conference from the Miraflores Palace, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced that the economic team would present a proposal for an expansion to the Mining Law to the Venezuelan Parliament in the coming days.
This legislative initiative is poised to be a cornerstone for attracting and facilitating the discussed investments, signaling Venezuela’s intent to open its rich natural resources to international participation, highlighting the enduring strategic importance of Venezuela’s energy and mineral wealth on the global stage.
Author: Laura V. Mor
Source: Venezuelan Presidential Press
