While conversations surrounding the Venezuelan economy understandably center around oil, another critical resource is often overlooked: gold. For years, Venezuelan terrorist groups and regime insiders have exploited the country’s vast gold deposits to finance their illicit activities and evade sanctions. As the American appetite to engage with Venezuela’s oil and gold sectors grows, understanding the extent to which the regime profits from the gold industry—and the severe human rights abuses tied to it—is increasingly important. Cristina Burelli, founder of both SOS Orinoco and the V5 Initiative, joins Vandenberg Executive Director Carrie Filipetti to discuss gold in Venezuela.

(0:54) SOS Orinoco & V5 Initiative

(3:56) Gold and Critical Minerals in Venezuela

(7:28) Who Runs Gold Mining in Venezuela?

(12:20) Terrorism & Illegal Gold Mining

(15:36) Delcy Rodriguez & Illegal Gold Mining

(19:39) U.S. General Licenses for Gold

(24:20) What Guidelines Can We Push For?

(26:16) The Future of U.S.-Venezuelan Commercial Relations

You can watch this episode as a video on YouTube.