Confirmation of 13 kilos of enriched uranium shipment from Venezuela to the US

In a significant international cooperation effort, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed the successful transfer of 13 kilograms of enriched uranium from Venezuela to the United States. This material had been stored in a Venezuelan research reactor that has been inactive for over three decades. The operation, conducted under stringent security measures, involved close collaboration between Venezuela, the United Kingdom, and the United States, coordinated by the IAEA.

The uranium, enriched to just over 20% of the uranium-235 isotope, was transported from the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) near Caracas to the port of Puerto Cabello. From there, it was shipped aboard a British vessel to the Savannah River complex in South Carolina, USA. The IAEA emphasized that the material arrived in perfect condition and that its removal means no nuclear fuel remains in the IVIC reactor, which has been offline since 1991.

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In the framework of a complex and delicate operation, the three countries involved - the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela - and the IAEA collaborated closely to ensure that the 13-kilogram shipment of highly enriched uranium was transported safely by land and sea from South America to North America.

This initiative aligns with the IAEA's long-standing programs aimed at securing and removing highly enriched uranium from aging research reactors worldwide. Such materials, while useful for scientific purposes, pose proliferation risks. By replacing them with low-enriched uranium fuel, the international community enhances nuclear safety and security. Venezuela's participation underscores its commitment to these global non-proliferation efforts, demonstrating a responsible approach to managing sensitive nuclear materials.

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After this mission, there is no longer any fuel in the reactor.