Ahmet Ahlatcı reveals Maduro's gold proposal

Ahmet Ahlatcı, owner of Ahlatcı Holding, shared his memories of the 2018 visit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to Turkey, where he was present alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ahlatcı detailed the proposal Maduro made to refine Venezuelan gold in Turkey and Erdoğan's response. Ahlatcı explained that Erdoğan suggested the Ahlatcı Refinery in Çorum, and that Maduro responded positively to this proposal, sending a delegation 45 days later to inspect the refinery.

NO GOLD CAME FROM VENEZUELA

Ahlatcı stated that during this meeting, Maduro mentioned Venezuela's annual gold extraction capacity of 270 tons and that they were sending this gold to the US and Europe for refining. However, Ahlatcı emphasized that not a single gram of gold had come from Venezuela to Turkey. "Not a single gram of gold came to our refinery from Venezuela, nor did any leave," said Ahlatcı, stating that this business did not materialize due to US sanctions. "If the US has imposed a ban, I have nothing to do with those matters," he added.

TARECK EL AISSAMI SENT TO ÇORUM TO SEE THE REFINERY

Following Maduro's acceptance of Erdoğan's proposal for the gold refinery, Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami was sent to Turkey to see the refinery in Çorum. Ahlatcı recounted that El Aissami toured the facility and said, "I have not seen such a modern refinery." However, just 5 days after this visit, internal political turmoil began in Venezuela, and an anti-Maduro candidate began to emerge for the election. Ahlatcı noted that the political uncertainties in Venezuela affected this process.

"NOT A GRAM OF GOLD CAME FROM VENEZUELA"

Ahlatcı stated that after the developments in Venezuela, no gold was sent, and that there has been frequent speculation on this matter. "Not a gram of gold can come from Venezuela or Iran," he said, emphasizing his respect for laws and international sanctions. "You know me, I have never taken any business from the state; I have come this far with my own sweat. My business is legitimate," he said.

Ahlatcı also criticized unfair practices in the Turkish gold sector. Stating that he is against fraudulent transactions such as "gold shampooing," Ahlatcı said that the state has cleaned up such operations. Furthermore, expressing his pride in being from Çorum, he said, "No one can easily do what a person from Çorum does."

A ONE BILLION DOLLAR GUNPOWDER FACTORY

Ahlatcı stated that he built a gunpowder factory for one billion dollars to contribute to the national economy and that this contributes to Turkey's defense power. "They didn't want me to build a gunpowder factory, but I built it anyway," he said, expressing his commitment to the defense industry.