Between the collaboration instruments they emphasize the establishment of a Bottom of Joint Financing by 12 billions of dollars, military and power contracts.

I believe the ability to obtain arms is priority #1 in Hugo's world. Obviously no one will mine anything in Venezuela unless they are allowed to make a profit. So either Hugo leaves everything in the ground OR he allows a politically correct partner to make a profit.

In the meantime....he can have the soldiers run the illegal gold mining operation to finance his political agenda and retirement slush fund. No hurry to make a deal on his part if that is the case.

Rest assured that whoever mines Las Cristinas will bring gifts of military toys\agreements as part of the deal.