United States seeks access to Venezuela's minerals after major oil deal

Venezuela mining critical minerals oil concessions North American Blue Energy Partners energy security

The Trump administration is expanding its strategic focus in Venezuela beyond the recently announced oil agreement to include the country's vast mineral resources. Following a deal that grants North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields—covering approximately 65 billion barrels of reserves—Washington is now seeking greater access to minerals such as gold, copper, nickel, and tungsten.

Sources indicate the administration is considering an executive order focused on critical minerals to secure supplies essential for national security and to counter Chinese economic influence in Latin America. U.S. officials have already held meetings with industry representatives to gauge interest in mining investments. While a White House spokesperson noted that current laws provide a sufficient framework, the potential for new regulatory measures remains under discussion.

In Venezuela, the transition of power to interim President Delcy Rodríguez has facilitated renewed cooperation with the U.S. However, the extraction of resources, particularly in the mineral-rich southern regions, faces significant challenges from armed groups like the ELN and FARC. Additionally, an AtlasIntel poll suggests public opinion is divided, with approximately 50% of respondents believing the oil deal benefits the U.S. more than Venezuela.

Entities

Delcy Rodríguez · Donald Trump · Minerven · Nicolás Maduro · North American Blue Energy Partners · U.S. Department of State · United States · United States government · Venezuela · White House

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] The Trump administration is considering a range of steps to increase U. S. involvement in Venezuela's mining sector, including a possible executive order focused on critical minerals offthepress.com · www.ibtimes.com · sputniknews.cn · ca.news.yahoo.com · sputnikglobe.com · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] According to an AtlasIntel poll for Bloomberg News, approximately 50% of respondents believe the oil deal will benefit the U.S. more than Venezuela. www.capital.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] NABEP... has given the U. S. Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital an equity stake of 35% in its corporate parent. www.ibtimes.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The Trump administration is seeking greater U. S. access to Venezuela's minerals, including gold, as it expands its push to gain control and influence over the South American country's vast natural資源s offthepress.com · www.ibtimes.com · sputniknews.cn · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.dunya.com · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The extraction of resources from the mineral-rich southern part of Venezuela is significantly challenged by the presence of armed movements such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the FARC. sputnikglobe.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] NABEP has granted the U. S. Department of State the right to purchase, at production cost, a guaranteed 20% of the off-take from all current and future fields NABEP will operate www.ibtimes.com
[● 7 SOURCES] U. S. officials have also held meetings with companies to gauge interest in investing in or otherwise participating in Venezuela's mining sector offthepress.com · www.ibtimes.com · sputniknews.cn · ca.news.yahoo.com · sputnikglobe.com · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The deal regarding oil involves the granting of 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields to U. S. -backed North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP). www.ibtimes.com · sputniknews.cn · sputnikglobe.com · lapatilla.com