Military forces have been sent to combat illegal mining operations in Venezuela’s gold-rich southern region, as confirmed by local residents and human rights monitors on June 10th.
The military deployment has focused on areas surrounding Las Claritas in southern Bolivar state, according to those living in the region and activists tracking the situation. This community serves as a central location for unauthorized gold extraction within the mineral-abundant Orinoco Mining Arc, an expansive zone located close to the borders with Guyana and Brazil.
Officials from Venezuela’s Communications Ministry have not yet responded to requests for information, and no public statements about the military action have been released by the government.
Local residents, numbering five who spoke with Reuters, reported hearing blasts and shooting, which has led many to avoid public areas and caused commercial establishments to shut down temporarily.
“Bombs and gunfire could be heard in the jungle,” a 45-year-old resident said. “There are mines in those areas. This is bad; you can’t go out.”
A business owner operating in Las Claritas described unmanned aircraft flying at low altitudes throughout the nighttime hours. All individuals who provided information requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
International non-profit organizations and investigators backed by the United Nations have reported that criminal organizations and militant groups control much of the mining operations throughout this territory.
“The Venezuelan Army is deploying a massive operation in Las Cristinas and at Km 88 in Bolivar state,” rights group Provea said in a post on X. “We warn of the risk of extrajudicial executions and arbitrary detentions against the civilian population in the area.”
This military action occurs while Venezuela’s current administration attempts to reopen economic sectors that have been closed to international investment for extended periods. Following developments in January when U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, leaving Delcy Rodriguez to assume leadership on a temporary basis, discussions between Washington and Caracas have focused on revitalizing petroleum and mining investments.
New mining legislation was enacted by Venezuela in April with the goal of encouraging international investment, while U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum indicated that security assurances for incoming corporations had been promised by the government.
The Las Cristinas gold development project had been planned by Canadian mining company Crystallex until former President Hugo Chavez stopped the initiative in 2008 during a widespread government takeover campaign that included electricity, telecommunications, cement, steel and petroleum industries.
Following these government acquisitions, international mining investment remained minimal. Some analysts currently believe there is potential for short-term export recovery, especially in gold, but caution that the industry will need substantial investment along with renewed exploration efforts.
