Recent crackdowns on Bitcoin mining in Venezuela have seen authorities seize around 6,288 mining rigs in Portuguesa and Cojedes states. The operations involved a joint effort by police and military forces, targeting the dismantling of infrastructure and confiscation of crucial equipment such as cooling fans and mining machines.

In a bid to disconnect mining operations from the National Electrical System (SEN) due to their perceived strain on electricity demand, Venezuelan authorities conducted raids on two Bitcoin mining farms in Portuguesa and Cojedes. The seizure of a significant number of mining rigs is part of the government's ongoing initiative to address energy consumption concerns.

During the raids, a total of 5,995 machines were secured in Portuguesa, all of which were inactive at the time of the operation. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement and military personnel were instrumental in carrying out these actions. In Cojedes, specifically at the Dimitras C.A. farm in Tinaco municipality, authorities dismantled all infrastructure associated with Bitcoin mining.

Ascensión García Caballero, a regional manager for Corpoelec, provided details on the confiscation in Cojedes, which included 293 mining machines, 22 cooling fans, and other essential mining equipment. These measures are part of the government's broader plan, known as the "Special Load Inspection Plan," aimed at enhancing the country's electricity service amidst persistent interruptions and deficiencies.

The Ministry of Electric Energy, in collaboration with Corpoelec and the Public Ministry, has been actively engaging with the public on social media, urging citizens to report any illicit digital mining activities. These efforts are positioned as solutions to Venezuela's energy challenges, with the country facing an energy deficit of approximately 3,000 megawatts, while the demand stands at 13,000 MW, leaving only 10,000 MW available.

Despite the prior legalization of Bitcoin mining in Venezuela and the country's pioneering efforts in regulating the industry, a shift occurred in 2023 following interventions by Sunacrip and the arrest of Joselit Ramírez, the former superintendent, in a corruption scandal. This shift has effectively led to the de facto illegalization of mining activities, impacting not just mining operations but also the sale of equipment and related services.

The recent government interventions have stirred uncertainty within the mining sector. While promises of improved electrical services through the disconnection of mining farms have been made, skepticism among citizens regarding the efficacy of these measures is evident on the Ministry of Electric Energy's social media platforms.