After Maduro's Capture, the USA Urgently Recovers Enriched Uranium from Venezuela

On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the successful transfer of 13.5 kilograms of enriched uranium from Venezuela to the United States, in collaboration with the UK and the IAEA. This operation was completed less than six weeks after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The uranium, stored since 1991, posed a nuclear proliferation risk and is now housed at Savannah River in South Carolina. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has maintained cooperation with Washington despite ongoing political tensions.