Switzerland has emerged as a key hub in Venezuela’s gold dealings.
According to Swiss TV SRF, billions of francs’ worth of Venezuelan gold was flown here between 2012 and 2016 and remelted.
The shipments, ordered by President Nicolás Maduro, were used to raise hard currency as the state neared bankruptcy.
Venezuela defaulted in 2017 and now owes around USD 170 bn.
Much of the gold was later sold on, including to Turkey.
Today, tighter rules make such trades unlikely.
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