from HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to world@lemmy.world on 06 Jan 18:09
https://sh.itjust.works/post/52939684
Deep under London’s streets, thousands of miles from Caracas, Nicolás Maduro’s seizure by the US has reopened a multibillion-dollar question: who controls Venezuela’s gold reserves at the Bank of England?
After the ousting of Maduro, global attention has largely focused on the South American country’s vast oil wealth – believed to be the largest reserves of any nation in the world. However, Venezuela also has significant gold holdings – including bullion worth at least $1.95bn (£1.4bn) frozen in Britain.
For years the gold bars have been the subject of a tussle in the London courts, entangling the Bank and the UK government in Venezuelan politics and a geopolitical battle that is now taking a fresh twist.
Venezuela has about 31 tonnes of gold held in the vaults of Threadneedle Street, equivalent to about 15% of its total foreign currency reserves. UK court documents put the value in 2020 at about $1.95bn. However, the gold price has more than doubled since, meaning the bars are probably worth considerably more.
Since 2018, however, Caracas has been blocked from repatriating the gold amid pressure on Maduro, after the disputed outcome of Venezuela’s presidential elections that year – including Donald Trump imposing US sanctions during his first term in the White House.
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Venezuela, next question.
Ideally, yes, but realistically it’s the UK/the West. I mean, according to the article they haven’t been able to get any of their gold since 2018…
Furthermore, the question that came to mind for me is who in Venezuela is in charge. Seems like with modern tech, he could still be president from a US jail. All the bills come through email (or where ever) and he could electronically sign them.
It seems likely to me that he did cheat his way into this last term, but its not something an external force should be adjudicating.
This has nothing to do with whether Maduro got into power “cheating” or not, it has everything to do with the American empire living on the blood of everyone else, murdering, raping, pillaging and threatening their way into riches. Simply considering the “legality” of Maduro’s government (as if having an American puppet in power, the only sad alternative to Maduro, would ever be good for the population, lol) when seeing the Burgers come around and bomb and kidnap whoever they want is already engaging in American spin!
Did you stop reading when you hit the word cheating? I very much disapprove. My opinion shouldn’t matter to the Venezuelan population, if they want a new leader, make it happen.
IT IS NOT THE US OR ANY OTHER NATIONS BUSINESS
Maybe read the whole comment before writing a rant agreeing with me. Not part of the point im arguing either, but he got into power legally, he stayed ther illegally. But thats still uptothe Venezuelan to deal with.
And they have the nerve to call robbers to the ones that rob a bank.