The United States has successfully retrieved a highly radioactive cobalt-60 source from Guatemala, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced Thursday. The operation, part of a broader U.S. effort to prevent the proliferation of dangerous nuclear materials, aimed to thwart potential terrorist use of the material to construct a "dirty bomb."
The cobalt-60 was housed in a disused teletherapy device, a type of medical equipment used for cancer treatment. U.S. and Guatemalan teams collaborated to remove the radioactive component, which was then transported to secure storage within the United States. Specialists from the NNSA’s Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico led the technical removal, which began in May.
Guatemalan officials provided crucial support, assisting with transportation, logistics, and physical security during the operation. The country's National Center of Radioactive Wastes and Ministry of Energy and Mines were involved in these efforts.
Cobalt-60, while vital for medical applications, presents a significant security risk if it falls into the wrong hands. The NNSA stated that highly radioactive sources like the one removed could be weaponized into a radiological dispersal device, commonly known as a dirty bomb, which uses conventional explosives to spread radioactive material.
This recovery aligns with the Trump administration's stated priority of preventing terrorists from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons, a key component of the U.S. national security strategy. Matthew Napoli, deputy administrator for the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, emphasized the mission to protect U.S. citizens and prevent adversaries from obtaining materials that could be used to harm the country.
"This successful removal is a massive win for homeland security and demonstrates our positive relationship with the Guatemalan government," Napoli said. "NNSA will do whatever it takes to defend America and keep our communities safe."
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provided secure transportation for the repatriated cobalt-60 source. Robert Bridges, a DTRA program manager, highlighted the interagency cooperation involved in the mission.
This operation is a component of the NNSA Office of Radiological Security’s ongoing work with international partners to secure or remove high-activity radioactive materials and enhance safety protocols around their storage.