Thirty tons of Venezuelan gold, a bargaining chip between Chavismo and the opposition

The likelihood is growing that an agreement will be reached to use Venezuelan assets frozen abroad as part of talks, mediated by the United States, between government and opposition delegations that began earlier in August. Several figures involved in the negotiations have confirmed the information. In particular, the republic’s gold bars held at the Bank of England — about 31 tons, equivalent to $4 billion — could be released; they have remained frozen under the custody of the British regulator. The dispute erupted after opposition leader Juan Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president in 2019, claimed control over national assets abroad, and refused to recognize the government of Nicolás Maduro, which part of the international community considered illegitimate following accusations of fraud in the May 2018 elections.

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