The Venezuelan authorities have increased their military presence in the southern state of Bolívar, home to some of the country's largest gold deposits. The operation is taking place amid government plans to attract foreign investors to the mining sector, Bloomberg reports, according to UNN.
According to the publication's sources, the military launched strikes against illegal mines in the Las Claritas area, which has long been under the de facto control of criminal gangs. There are also reports of the use of fire and a large-scale operation to clear the territories of illegal miners. As a result, some of the mine workers have left the area.
Analysts and human rights activists note that the town of Las Claritas is effectively isolated by security forces, while military helicopters are operating over the surrounding gold-mining districts. At the same time, official information regarding possible casualties or clashes between the military and criminal groups is currently unavailable.
The Bolívar region is considered one of the most problematic in Latin America in terms of illegal mining. A significant portion of the gold mines there is controlled by armed groups that have effectively established their own rules for operation and access to the deposits.
The operation follows the adoption of new regulations in Venezuela that opened the mining sector to private and foreign investment. The government hopes to attract international capital for the development of gold, bauxite, coltan, and rare earth metal deposits.
Experts point out that the main challenge for future investors remains the criminal groups that have controlled a significant portion of the country's gold mining industry for years.
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