A highly radioactive material used for cancer treatment has been returned to the United States after being removed from Guatemala due to concerns it could be misused to create a radiological weapon, commonly known as a 'dirty bomb.' The cobalt-60 source was housed in a disused medical radiation device before it was transported to secure storage in the US. The operation was announced by the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) on Thursday as part of efforts to prevent dangerous radioactive materials from falling into the hands of terrorists.
The operation began in May, with specialists from the NNSA’s Los Alamos National Laboratory collaborating with a facility in Guatemala to remove the cobalt-60 from a US-origin teletherapy machine. Guatemalan officials assisted with transportation, logistics, and security during the operation.
Cobalt-60 is utilized in medical devices for cancer treatment, but the NNSA highlighted that highly radioactive sources can pose a security threat if stolen. The agency noted that the material removed from Guatemala could have been used to create a dirty bomb.
This removal aligns with the Trump administration's focus on preventing terrorists from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons, as outlined in its 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy. Matthew Napoli, deputy administrator for the NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, stated, 'Our mission is simple: protect American citizens, secure our borders, and ensure our adversaries never get their hands on materials that could harm our country.'
Napoli described the removal as a significant achievement for homeland security and emphasized the positive relationship with the Guatemalan government. Mayra Villatoro, head of the Unit of Technical Laboratories at Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, acknowledged the collaboration with NNSA and DTRA in eliminating the danger posed by the radioactive material.
After the cobalt-60 was securely packaged, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) facilitated its transportation back to the US. Robert Bridges, DTRA program manager of Nuclear Transportation & Disposition, remarked on the importance of interagency cooperation in the successful repatriation of the cobalt-60 source, underscoring the commitment to eliminating radiological risks and ensuring safety.