Since Nicolás Maduro became the president of Venezuela in 2013, the Central Bank's gold reserves have plummeted from 366 tons to about 53 tons, despite analysts estimating annual production from the Arco Minero del Orinoco to be between 35 to 80 tons. This alarming drop suggests irregular exports of gold, facilitated through complex networks, particularly to Turkey, where Venezuela received food in exchange for gold. Reports indicate that individuals like Alex Saab, who controlled trade through Turkish firms, have been implicated in this illicit exportation process.

Sources close to the gold trade have confirmed to EL PAÍS that significant quantities of Venezuelan gold have been shipped illegally not only to Turkey but also to countries such as Iran, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. This situation raises questions about the management of Venezuela's natural resources under Maduro's regime and highlights the international dimension of the trade involving various countries, each playing a role in the illicit financial mechanisms that sustain the Venezuelan government amid economic turmoil.

The article also hints at the potential implications of these illicit activities for Venezuela's future, as the mismanagement and illegal export of gold could leave the country even more vulnerable to economic crises. Furthermore, the unfolding events surrounding figures like Alex Saab could lead to increased scrutiny of the networks that facilitate this trade, prompting international repercussions for those involved and perhaps even a reevaluation of Venezuela's political and economic relationships with these trading partners.