I found this CNBC article via Mish: Venezuela to seize gold concessions as oil falls:

Venezuela will seize several gold mining concessions that previous governments granted private operators, in a bid to supplement falling oil prices with proceeds from state-controlled gold, President Hugo Chavez said Saturday.

Chavez named no specific contracts or companies to be affected, but his mining minister has vowed to next year take over the nation’s largest mine, Las Cristinas, which is operated by Canadian mining company Crystallex International Corp.

“We are taking back some concessions that former governments have given, and whose permits are still held by some rich people,” in order to reduce public reliance on oil, Chavez said.

Yeah, f*ck rich people. How dare they purchase a mining permit and develop a profitable gold mine? Seize that sh*t.

Seriously, why would anyone invest in Venezuela? If the investment turns out to be profitable, the government will seize it. It’s much better to invest in the United States, where the government will bail out investors with future taxpayer money.