Operation to Extract Cobalt-60
On August 29, at 18:31, American rescue services and nuclear security specialists conducted a secret operation in which a dangerous source of radioactive cobalt-60 was extracted from Guatemala. This cobalt was located inside an outdated American radiation therapy device that was previously used to treat cancer. The operation became necessary due to the threat of the material being stolen by terrorist groups that could use it to create a dirty bomb, dispersing radioactive contamination and contaminating territories.
Cooperation and Safety
Employees of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, together with the local Department of Energy, packaged the dangerous component. After that, the DTRA agency transported cobalt-60 to secure storage facilities in the USA.
'Our mission is simple: to protect American citizens, secure borders, and ensure that adversaries never obtain materials for an attack. The extraction of cobalt is a major victory for national security.' Matthew Napoli, Deputy Director of the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
Robert Bridges, the head of nuclear transportation programs, emphasized the importance of this operation: 'The successful repatriation of cobalt-60 is a result of interagency cooperation. We are preemptively eliminating radiological risks.' The operation to extract cobalt-60 is part of the USA's counter-terrorism strategy, which defines the removal of highly active isotopes from civilian facilities as a key element in preventing radiological terrorism.
NNSA collaborates with partner countries around the world to reduce nuclear and radiological risks.
This special operation demonstrates the United States' efforts to combat potential terrorism threats related to nuclear materials. The extraction of cobalt-60 not only reduces security risks in the region but also highlights the importance of international cooperation in nuclear security. The situation with radioactive materials remains relevant, and such actions can help prevent their use for criminal purposes.