US imports Venezuelan gold linked to Tren de Guayana gang, routed by Trafigura
Investigators say the United States is buying Venezuelan gold bars, some of which are tied to the Tren de Guayana criminal gang, and that the shipments are handled by Geneva-based trader Trafigura.
A recent investigation revealed that the US market is receiving gold from Venezuela, with estimates of up to 400 kilograms per month. Part of this supply is connected to the Tren de Guayana gang, a group previously cited by Donald Trump in his criticism of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The metal is being transported by the commodity trader Trafigura, but the company has been unable to sell the gold because it lacks the required certification confirming the metal does not fund criminal activity.
Why it matters
It highlights how illicit Venezuelan gold may be entering the US market, exposing gaps in trade oversight and financing of criminal groups.
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