Gold In The Sand

GUACA, Venezuela — The most extraordinary moment in the young fisherman’s life began in the most mundane way: with a morning visit to the latrine.

Walking back to his tin-roofed hut on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, the fisherman, Yolman Lares, saw something glisten along the shore. Raking his hand through the sand, he pulled up a gold medallion with an image of the Virgin Mary.

Dozens of villagers said they had found at least one precious object, usually a gold ring, with unconfirmed reports that some had sold their discoveries for as much as $1,500.

Did a storm disturb a pirate treasure chest or break open up a sunken colonial frigate? Did the bounty come from modern smugglers heading to nearby Trinidad? For weeks, Guaca was rife with speculation.

A chemical test commissioned by The New York Times on a link of gold chain discovered on Guaca’s beach indicated the piece was likely manufactured in Europe in recent decades.

The treasure has allowed his family to go back to eating twice a day. His youngest child, 2-year-old Thairy Lares, has gained weight in the past month, though she is still malnourished.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/venezuela-gold-rush-fishing-vil...