The United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) on Friday announced the successful removal of all remaining highly enriched uranium from a legacy research reactor in Venezuela. The agency described the operation as a major step towards reducing nuclear security risks in South America as well as the US homeland.

According to NNSA, which functions as a semi-autonomous agency under the US Department of Energy, the mission was carried out in coordination with Venezuela’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency, experts from the United Kingdom, and officials from the US State Department.

“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.”

The agency stated that the RV-1 reactor had been supporting physics and nuclear research activities for decades. However, after research work at the reactor ended in 1991, uranium enriched above the 20 per cent threshold remained there as surplus material. The uranium stayed at the site for several years after research activities stopped.

NNSA’s Office of Defence Nuclear Nonproliferation worked together with experts from the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research to carry out the operation. Officials said the teams removed 13.5 kilograms, nearly 30 pounds, of uranium from the reactor less than six weeks after the first site visit.

After the removal process, the uranium was safely packed into a spent fuel cask. It was then transported nearly 100 miles overland to a Venezuelan port under secure arrangements. From there, the material was loaded onto a specialised carrier supplied by the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Transport Solutions.

The shipment reached the United States in early May. Officials confirmed that the uranium was transferred to the Savannah River Site, where it will now be processed and reused.

Dr. Matt Napoli, Deputy Administrator of NNSA’s Office of Defence Nuclear Nonproliferation, travelled to Venezuela to oversee the mission. He praised the efforts of the teams involved in completing the operation successfully.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the men and women who carried out this vital mission,” Napoli said. “NNSA’s long history in removing nuclear material and the team’s extensive know-how were key to this success.”

NNSA said the uranium will now be processed at the H-Canyon chemical separations facility. The material will be used to obtain high-assay low-enriched uranium for future US nuclear energy programmes.

The agency also highlighted its broader work in global nuclear nonproliferation. Since 1996, NNSA and its predecessor offices have removed or confirmed the disposition of more than 7,350 kilograms, or 16,250 pounds, of highly enriched uranium and plutonium from several countries around the world. These efforts are part of ongoing international measures to reduce nuclear threats and prevent the misuse of weapons-grade nuclear material.

The successful completion of the Venezuela mission marks another important development in international nuclear security efforts. The operation also reflects continued cooperation between multiple countries and agencies in securing sensitive nuclear material and reducing global security risks.