The confirmation came as the US issued a license authorising dealings with Minerven, Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company.
The United States has received $100 million worth of gold from Venezuela, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed, as the Trump administration pointed to a broader push to assert control over the South American nation’s natural resources.
“On Friday, there was $100 million of gold that came from Venezuela to the United States. Venezuela’s got $500 billion of resources of gold,” Burgum said.
The confirmation came as the US issued a license authorising dealings with Minerven, Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company. The move is being seen as part of Washington’s efforts to expand its influence over Venezuela’s vast mineral reserves.
The license was issued after Burgum met acting President Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela earlier this week. He also held discussions with representatives of more than two dozen US mining and minerals companies, many of which had previously operated in Venezuela.
According to Burgum, Venezuela’s government provided security assurances to mining companies interested in investing in mineral-rich regions that have long been controlled by guerrilla groups, gangs and other illegal actors.
Under the terms of the license, individuals and companies from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba are barred from entering into contracts with Minerven. The restriction aligns with the Trump administration’s stated objective of countering China’s dominance over critical minerals, several of which are abundant in Venezuela.
The license is also aimed at advancing Washington’s plan to stabilise and restructure Venezuela following the capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro by US forces two months ago.
