Controlling oil is not enough? The Trump administration may shift its focus to Venezuela's gold and other mineral resources

(1) Three sources revealed that the Trump administration is seeking to expand U.S. access to Venezuela's mineral resources (including gold), aiming to further control and influence this South American country's abundant natural resources beyond oil. This move could open the door for U.S. capital to enter Venezuela's mining sector and secure supplies of critical minerals. (2) The government is considering several measures, including possibly signing an executive order related to key minerals (which is still being drafted), and has already held talks with multiple companies to gauge their interest in investing in or participating in Venezuela's mining industry. The White House stated that both countries are "benefiting from cooperation and investment by Western companies," but an official indicated that there is currently no need to issue an executive order. (3) This initiative aligns with Trump's broader strategy—to reestablish U.S. influence in Latin America and contain China's expansion in the region. However, the potential of Venezuela's mineral resources remains difficult to assess, as geological data is outdated, infrastructure is weak, and illegal armed groups control the gold deposits in the Orinoco Mining Arc, meaning that mining investors may need to obtain the latest geological survey data before committing to significant new investments.