Global Security Newswire

Venezuela's parliament yesterday passed legislation on building and managing the nation's first atomic reactor, the Xinhua News Agency reported (see GSN, Oct. 22).

The new law clears the way for enactment of a civilian atomic trade agreement with Russia.

Electric Energy Minister Ali Rodriquez Araque said the atomic facility is anticipated to produce 4,000 megawatts over the next decade. Moscow has said the first facility would be a research reactor and that power production would follow at a later time.

Some observers have expressed concerns about Venezuela's atomic intentions, though U.S. President Obama recently noted the South American state's right to operate peaceful atomic programs as a member nation to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Other Latin American nations pursuing atomic power are Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, Xinhua reported. Chile and Bolivia have also voiced similar ambitions (Xinhua News Agency, Nov. 10