Details of the US Nuclear Theft From Venezuela in the Absence of Nicolas Maduro

TEHRAN (Defapress) - At a time when international media are reporting the theft of about 13.5 kilograms of uranium enriched above 20% from the old RV-1 research reactor near Caracas, the crisis between the US and Venezuela had started much earlier, with Washington's interference and excesses in the internal affairs of Caracas, especially the kidnapping of the country's President, Nicolas Maduro, during a military operation.

On May 8-9, 2026, the world media announced in their news and reports that the US government, in a joint nuclear security operation in cooperation with the interim government of Venezuela, the UK, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, removed about 13.5 kilograms of 20% enriched uranium from the old RV-1 research reactor near Caracas and then transferred it to the United States.

On the other hand, the uniqueness of the operation is that in this mission, a team of technical experts, in cooperation with the US State Department, the UK, the Venezuelan Ministry of Science, and under the direct supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, carried out the transfer and relocation of enriched uranium from this country to the United States.

Now, it is interesting that the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced that this complex operation, which would normally have taken years, was completed in just a few months as part of a three-phase program. During this operation, the uranium was transported overland, under strict security measures and accompanied by the Venezuelan army, about 160 kilometres to the port of Porto Cabello and then loaded onto a specialised UK ship to America.

Of course, this is not all, and the 13.5 kg shipment of Venezuelan enriched uranium arrived at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina in early May to be processed at the H-Canyon chemical facility for use in the new generation of US nuclear power plants.

Another interesting point is that Brandon Williams, Secretary for Nuclear Security at the Department of Energy, in a strange and questionable comment, considered this action a sign of "the reconstruction and modernisation of Venezuela" and a great victory for global security. Meanwhile, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, also made interventionist statements praising the professionalism of all parties involved, emphasising that this cooperation is a successful example of reducing the risks of nuclear proliferation and preventing irresponsible groups from obtaining sensitive materials.

All of these events come at a time when the White House has resumed relations with Caracas after Trump’s controversial decision to order the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. The US President recognised Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, and the interim leader of Venezuela has also opened the country’s doors to American energy and mining companies.

On the other hand, it should be said that one of Trump’s most important goals in entering the war campaign with Iran was to obtain about 408 kilograms of enriched uranium. However, all efforts by the US military to seize it have failed to date, including the operation that was carried out in the south of Isfahan and failed in the worst possible way.

Finally, the United States, as a colonial and arrogant power, with an arsenal of more than seven thousand nuclear warheads, will never allow independent and free countries of the world to enjoy peaceful nuclear energy; an issue that caused it to impose two wars on the Islamic Republic of Iran along with the Zionist regime, but unlike Venezuela, it has failed to obtain and steal our country's enriched uranium.