Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
President Donald Trump is expanding America’s focus on Venezuela’s enormous natural-resource wealth, with his administration now seeking greater U.S. access to the country’s minerals, including gold.
The effort follows Washington’s increased involvement in Venezuela’s energy sector and could potentially give American businesses greater opportunities to invest in mining and gain access to strategically important resources.
Venezuela possesses deposits of gold, iron ore, bauxite, nickel and other minerals. The Trump administration’s push also comes as the United States looks for ways to strengthen domestic supply chains and compete with China’s influence over strategically important minerals.
The Treasury Department has already authorized certain activities involving Venezuelan-origin minerals, including gold, while creating pathways for additional investment in the country’s mining industry.
Supporters could view greater American access to these resources as an economic and national-security opportunity. Critics may question how deeply the United States should become involved in Venezuela’s natural resources and what the long-term political and financial consequences could be.
The issue raises a larger question about America’s role in Venezuela and whether gaining access to valuable foreign resources ultimately serves U.S. interests.