El Callao Mayor: Government Artists Exploit Gold Mines

The mayor of El Callao, in Venezuela's Bolívar state, has alleged that artists connected to the national government are involved in exploiting the area's gold mines. Mayor Coromoto Lugo stated that "government frontmen" are operating behind the gold recovery plants in the region.

Lugo detailed how artisanal jewelry making, once the primary economic activity in El Callao, has vanished in recent years. "Artisanal jewelry making, which produced pieces and chains, has disappeared here," Lugo said. "Many people used to come to El Callao to buy jewelry to resell, but that has disappeared."

He noted that there are now 380 establishments that buy gold, with the majority owned by foreign citizens. This situation leads him to question, "What opportunity does the Venezuelan have?" The mayor emphasized that El Callao produces 5,000 kilograms of gold monthly, accounting for 70% of Venezuela's gold extraction.

"We have 27 gold recovery plants. But these plants have names, like Domingo Sifontes, Santa Bárbara, and a specific name might appear there, but behind these plants are government frontmen, military personnel, artists, all sorts of people," Lugo declared. He further pointed out that the production from these plants does not impact national reserves, stating, "That gold is not reflected, it does not enter the Central Bank (of Venezuela)."

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Ese oro no se refleja, no entra al Banco Central (de Venezuela).