Washington DC, May 9 -- The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) on Friday (local time) announced the successful removal of all remaining highly enriched uranium from a legacy research reactor in Venezuela, calling the operation a significant step in reducing nuclear security risks in South America and the US homeland.

According to NNSA, which is a semi-autonomous agency within the US Department of Energy, the mission was carried out in coordination with the Venezuelan Ministry of Science and Technology, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), experts from the United Kingdom, and US State Department personnel.

"The safe removal of all enriched uranium from Venezuela sends another signal to the...