NNSA Removes Highly Enriched Uranium from Venezuela, Reducing Risk to South America and the U.S. Homeland

WASHINGTON - In a win for America, Venezuela, and the world, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), working with partners, completed the removal of all remaining enriched uranium from a legacy research reactor in Venezuela.

"The safe removal of all enriched uranium from Venezuela sends another signal to the world of a restored and renewed Venezuela," said Brandon Williams, NNSA Administrator. "Thanks to President Trump's decisive leadership, the dedicated teams on the ground completed in months what would have normally taken years."

President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio's three-phase plan for Venezuela fast-tracked the retirement of this nuclear risk, marking another historic milestone for DOE. Following DOE Secretary Wright's visit to Venezuela in February, in a matter of weeks, NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) worked with Department of State personnel in Washington and Caracas alongside experts from the United Kingdom, the Venezuelan Ministry of Science and Technology, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prepare for a site assessment to inform removal planning.