The death toll from the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 3,811 people.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the President of the country's National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, stated on Wednesday that the consequences of the natural disaster are more severe than initial reports indicated.
Official data indicates that 16,740 people were injured, and 17,907 individuals have been displaced from their homes.
Delcy Rodríguez, acting as the interim leader, has renewed calls for the removal of international sanctions imposed on the country. Speaking via state television channel "VTV," Rodríguez emphasized that the repatriation of frozen Venezuelan assets held abroad could play a critical role in the nation's recovery process. She noted that these funds could be directed toward reconstruction efforts, as well as the financing of employment and education programs.
For the past two decades, the United States, the European Union, and several other nations have imposed various sanctions on Venezuela, primarily citing the erosion of democratic institutions and allegations related to drug trafficking. While the U.S. granted certain limited concessions to Venezuela's oil sector following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro in January of this year, the majority of the sanctions remain in effect.
Furthermore, Delcy Rodríguez has appealed to King Charles III of the United Kingdom, requesting the return of Venezuelan gold reserves held at the Bank of England. These reserves, valued between $1.95 billion and $5 billion, have been the subject of prolonged legal disputes in British courts. Rodríguez asserted that this gold belongs to the Venezuelan people and must be utilized to mitigate the severe aftermath of the earthquake. She also announced that she has discussed the possibility of receiving financial support with the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Venezuela, a nation historically dependent on its vast oil reserves, has faced significant economic instability and humanitarian challenges in recent years, exacerbated by political isolation and international financial restrictions. The recent seismic event has further strained the country's infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, prompting urgent appeals for global humanitarian assistance.
