Trump Foreign Policy and Resource Control

Following U.S. forces’ capture of Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration formally re‑established diplomatic and consular relations with Venezuela and sent Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Caracas to negotiate energy and mining deals as part of a phased plan toward a democratic transition. Venezuelan state firms have signed contracts to resume crude and refined oil shipments to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries and to sell 650–1,000 kg of high‑grade gold dore to Trafigura for processing at U.S. refineries—moves the administration says will restore Venezuelan oil flows to the U.S., ease pressure on global supplies amid Iran‑related tensions, and support Venezuela’s economic recovery.