The United States reported having successfully removed surplus highly enriched uranium (HEU) from Venezuela’s decommissioned RV-1 research reactor, in a joint operation with the government of the South American country and the United Kingdom and with technical support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The information was confirmed in an official note from the State Department.
According to the statement, RV-1 was the country’s first and only nuclear reactor, originally built for peaceful scientific research and later repurposed for gamma ray sterilization of medical materials, food and other items.
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The American government considered it an important nuclear safety milestone to have resolved the issue in a few months, more than two years earlier than originally planned.
“In late April, Venezuela packed and prepared for transport the HEU of its RV-1 research reactor, which had been provided to the country as part of the United States’ historic “Atoms for Peace” program,” the State Department said.
According to the statement, the material was transported across the United Kingdom and arrived safely at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, in early May, for final disposal.
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To date, worldwide, the NNSA has removed or confirmed the disposal of more than 7,340 kilograms of weapons-grade nuclear material.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) played a key role in this operation, providing technical expertise and acting as an observer at every stage of the removal process.
“This operation reflects American leadership at its best: decisive, practical and focused on protecting the American people. By leading the removal of dangerous nuclear material from Venezuela, the United States is safer and has strengthened nuclear security around the world”, says the text.
