Venezuela is expanding its troop presence in gold mining regions of Bolivar state, including deploying special forces from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces and conducting operations targeting illegally controlled mines in the Las Claritas mining region, Bloomberg reported on June 9. Authorities have reportedly sealed off Las Claritas, and both bombed and fired upon the targeted mines.

The new security deployments follow the approval of the Organic Mines Law in April, which repeals regulations that previously prohibited foreign and private-sector investment in strategic minerals such as gold. Las Claritas and the mines in the area (and elsewhere in Bolivar) have long been a stronghold of top criminal groups, with Tren de Aragua expanding its presence in recent years, forming the Las Claritas Sindicato, which controls part of the illegal mining in Bolivar, specifically Claritas.