The United States, working alongside Venezuela and the United Kingdom, has successfully removed excess highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Venezuela’s defunct RV-1 research reactor. Backed by technical support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the operation was completed more than two years ahead of schedule.
The RV-1 stood as Venezuela’s first and only nuclear reactor. Initially constructed for peaceful scientific research, the facility was later repurposed to use gamma rays for the sterilisation of medical supplies, food, and other materials.
Spearheaded by the US State Department’s Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the mission reached a key nuclear security milestone in a matter of months. The swift timeline drastically outpaced initial projections, which had anticipated a significantly longer process.
In late April, Venezuelan authorities packaged and prepared the HEU for transport. The material had originally been supplied to the nation under the United States' historic 'Atoms for Peace' programme. The United Kingdom then oversaw the transportation of the uranium, which safely arrived at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, in early May for final disposition.
Throughout the delicate operation, the IAEA played a vital role by providing technical expertise and acting as an observer. The mission further cements the agency’s proven track record of collaborating with the US and other member states to mitigate global nuclear risks.
To date, the NNSA has successfully removed or confirmed the disposition of over 7,340 kilograms of weapons-usable nuclear material worldwide.
Officials have described the operation as a reflection of American leadership at its best: decisive, practical, and sharply focused on protecting the public. By spearheading the removal of these dangerous nuclear materials from Venezuela, the United States has not only bolstered its own domestic safety but also strengthened nuclear security across the globe.
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