Is US access to Venezuela’s mineral wealth a pipe dream?

Recent political developments in Venezuela have prompted renewed speculation over whether the US could seek to leverage the country’s natural resource base. President Trump has openly signalled his intentions to exploit Venezuela’s oil reserves, but some commentators have gone further, suggesting the administration may also be eyeing the country’s deposits of critical raw materials as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on China. In some respects, the idea is not implausible. Venezuela hosts reserv ...