politics
May 8, 2026
Venezuela confirmed the extraction of nuclear material from an experimental reactor after a US attack
The Venezuelan government carries out the extraction of nuclear material from the RV-1 Reactor with international supervision after the risk level increased following a US attack.
TL;DR
- Venezuela conducted an operation to extract and ship remaining nuclear material from the RV-1 Experimental Reactor.
- The operation was deemed urgent after a U.S. military attack on January 3, 2026, increased the risk level near the reactor.
- The material was extracted, transported, and shipped between April 18 and April 29 from the IVIC in Miranda to Puerto Cabello in Carabobo.
- The operation involved Venezuelan authorities, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and representatives from the United Kingdom.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervised the safeguards, conducted technical verification, and provided training.
- The RV-1 reactor, designed by Humberto Fernández Morán, ceased operations in 1991 and was officially decommissioned in 1997.
- Material not removed in the 1990s remained under safe cooling and storage conditions until this operation.
- Previous U.S. attacks in January also affected military facilities, the national power grid, health centers, civilian homes, and IVIC facilities, causing power and water distribution issues.