Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Venezuela's Gold Exports and Maduro's Capture
Venezuela sent a lot of gold to Switzerland from 2013 to 2016 to help its economy.
This gold was worth $5.2 billion and came from Venezuela's central bank.
The gold exports stopped in 2017 because the European Union put sanctions on Venezuela.
Recently, former President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces.
Switzerland is a big place for refining gold.
The US has charged Maduro with serious crimes, and Switzerland has frozen his assets.
Venezuela exported $5.2 billion worth of gold to Switzerland from 2013 to 2016.
Gold exports ceased in 2017 due to EU sanctions on Venezuela.
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces on January 3, 2026.
Switzerland is a major center for gold refining, with five large refineries.
Switzerland froze Maduro's assets on January 7, 2026.
- Who
- Venezuela, Switzerland, Nicolas Maduro, US forces
- What
- Gold exports to Switzerland, Maduro's capture
- When
- 2013-2016 (gold exports), 2017 (sanctions), January 3, 2026 (Maduro's capture), January 7, 2026 (asset freeze)
- Where
- Venezuela, Switzerland, New York (court charges)
- Why
- Economic support, sanctions impact
- Gold Exports
- $5.2 billion to Switzerland (2013-2016)
- Gold Exports Ceased
- 2017 due to EU sanctions
- Maduro's Capture
- Seized by US forces on January 3, 2026
- Switzerland's Role
- Major gold refining center
- Sanctions
- EU sanctions on Venezuela since 2017
- Gold Origin
- Venezuela’s central bank reserves
- Gold Export Volume
- 113 metric tons (2013-2016)
- Asset Freeze
- Switzerland froze Maduro's assets on January 7, 2026
Sources
Venezuela exported $5.2 billion gold to Switzerland under Maduro
US, Venezuela in talks to export stranded crude to US refiners
Venezuela Hiding Bitcoin Worth $60 Billion? Maduro’s Fall Puts Crypto Markets on Edge
Venezuela faces looming oil collapse as US blockade and Maduro capture intensify pressure
Venezuela under Maduro shipped gold worth $5.2 billion to Switzerland
Gold likely to gain from US intervention in Venezuela
How US debt, dollar fears and FOMO are driving a global metals melt-up
