Venezuela seeks international miners

 Venezuela's effort to attract foreign investors to develop its gold, iron and bauxite seams has enthusiastic backing from the Trump administration but faces big challenges. 

Armed groups have deep interests in the chaotic, largely illegal prospecting industry that has developed over the past 20 years, according to nine miners, residents and community activists who spoke to Reuters.

The sources in the sprawling southeastern state of Bolivar said they were skeptical international companies will be able to meaningfully invest without major improvements to security in the state, where local criminals operate alongside Colombian rebels and state security forces ‌have been accused of colluding with criminals to prop up illegal gold operations.