US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has traveled to Caracas, Venezuela, for meetings with the country's new leadership following the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro by US forces earlier this year, according to Swedish media reports. Burgum is scheduled to meet with Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro and has assumed the presidency in a transitional government. The meetings reportedly focus on mining industry cooperation and securing supply chains for important minerals.
' The US Embassy in Caracas announced that issues related to mining and rare earth elements are on the agenda. Secretary Burgum, who oversees natural resources in the United States, is reportedly seeking to establish mineral cooperation with Venezuela's interim government. The reports indicate that Maduro was ousted during a US military operation in January 2026, though official confirmation of these details was not immediately available.
achieve a legitimate mining industry
secure supply chains for important minerals