Fresh customs data has revealed a shocking chapter in Venezuelaās economic history that the world is now finally paying attention to. Between 2013 and 2016, Venezuela quietly shipped 113 metric tons of gold ā worth nearly 4.14 billion Swiss francs (about $5.2 billion) ā to Switzerland, according to customs figures reviewed by Reuters and Swiss broadcasters. ļæ½
Reuters
This wasnāt random. At the time, Venezuelaās economy was collapsing under hyperinflation, falling oil revenues, and mounting sanctions. Instead of holding onto gold as a strategic reserve, Caracas began selling huge amounts overseas to raise desperately needed hard currency. ļæ½
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Hereās how it unfolded:
š Gold Smuggled Out During Crisis
Venezuelaās central bank sent tons of gold to Swiss refineries ā Switzerland being one of the worldās biggest centers for gold processing and certification ā likely so that the bullion could be sold or funneled into global markets. ļæ½
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š« Exports Suddenly Stopped
After 2017, gold exports to Switzerland essentially disappeared ā customs data shows zero official shipments from 2017 through at least 2025. This corresponds with the period when the European Union imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials and financial activity, sanctions Switzerland later adopted. ļæ½
Reuters
šŗšø Maduro Arrest Raises Questions
In early January 2026, U.S. forces carried out a high-profile operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of NicolĆ”s Maduro and his wife on charges including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. ļæ½
Following this, Swiss authorities froze assets linked to Maduro and 36 associates ā though itās still not public whether any of those frozen assets directly relate to the earlier gold transfers. ļæ½
Reuters
Reuters
š Huge Questions Still Unanswered
Who actually benefited from the billions generated by these gold sales?
Did the money support government spending, or was some of it diverted into private accounts or overseas investments?
With everyday Venezuelans still suffering under economic collapse and shortages, the scale of these transfers highlights how national wealth was used ā and possibly misused ā during years of crisis.
š For now, we do know this much:
This revelation adds another layer of scrutiny to Venezuelaās financial history, international gold markets, and the ongoing political upheaval in the country.
#Venezuela #GoldExports #Switzerland #Maduro #EconomicCrisis
