Published on: 2026-05-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) played a key role in the successful operation to transport highly enriched uranium from Venezuela to the United States. It was meticulously planned and carried out with enhanced security measures. Such nuclear materials can pose a threat of nuclear weapon proliferation or a security risk if they fall into the wrong hands.
Example of international cooperation
Three countries participated in the complex operation – Great Britain, the USA, and Venezuela, as well as the IAEA. They closely coordinated actions to ensure the safe transportation of 13 kilograms of highly enriched uranium by land and sea from South America to the North.
“This operation became an example of strong political will, effective coordination, self-assertion, and professionalism of all participants,” said MAGATE Director General Rafael Grossi.
“…we demonstrated how effective partnership can eliminate the risks of nuclear material proliferation and strengthen global nuclear security,” said Christopher Yoo, Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation.
Uranium in the form of nuclear fuel enriched to a level slightly above 20 percent uranium-235 content was removed from the shut down research reactor of the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research, located 15 kilometers southwest of Caracas, and delivered to the Savannah River Site facility of the U.S. Department of Energy in the state of South Carolina.
Rolf MAGATHE
At the IAEA, within the framework of cooperation, recommendations on nuclear and physical security were provided, assistance was given with staff training and technical expertise. The agency’s experts monitored the situation throughout the entire operation.
In recent decades, the IAEA has supported international efforts to export highly enriched uranium from research reactors worldwide to reduce risks associated with the use of highly enriched fuel.
During its operation, the Venezuelan reactor used nuclear fuel from both American and British production. After the completion of the current fuel mission, there was no fuel left at the facility.
How the operation went
The Venezuelan government appealed to the IAEA with a request to assist in the removal of the remaining fuel from the country, and the US government agreed to accept the material and provide a special transport container for delivery to the Savannah River Site facility, which allowed the start of a heightened security operation.
At the end of April, a convoy, previously seized by Venezuelan military forces, left at night from the port city of Puerto Cabello, where a container with fuel was loaded onto a British ship. The ship immediately departed for the USA and arrived safely at the Savannah River Site in early May.
New technologies
Most research reactors were built in the 1960s and 1970s using technologies that required high-enriched uranium for scientific experiments. Today, a significant portion of such research can be conducted using low-enriched uranium, in which the uranium-235 content is less than 20 percent.
As of today, 111 research reactors and facilities producing medical isotopes have been converted from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium or permanently shut down. More than 6930 kilograms of highly enriched uranium have been removed from dozens of countries and returned to supplier countries or otherwise disposed of. Nuclear power plants generating electricity use low enriched uranium.
Please note; this information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.