Venezuela Announces International Alliance to Recover Damaged Airport

Venezuela is forming an international alliance to spearhead the recovery of the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, near Caracas. The airport sustained significant damage from a series of powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, that struck the country on June 24.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president, announced the international collaboration, stating that contacts have been made with various countries and international partners to aid in the airport's restoration. While specific details of the plan and participating nations were not disclosed, Rodríguez assured that the recovery plan would be finalized next week. She also indicated that a broader process to repair other damaged airports and infrastructure would commence, though she did not specify which other facilities were affected.

In addition to the airport recovery, the Venezuelan government is implementing measures to address the broader impact of the earthquakes. This includes establishing contact with public and private banks to activate mortgage portfolios, offering an 80% subsidy, and exempting taxes related to property rentals and purchases. Furthermore, the export of construction materials has been prohibited to prioritize their use in repairing buildings damaged by the seismic events.

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We are also already in contact with international alliances, countries, that will help recover the Maiquetía International Airport.

The government has also introduced a financing program to provide monthly payments to disaster victims for the next six months, though the specific amounts were not detailed. A new initiative, the "Misión Venezuela Renace" (Mission Venezuela Reborn), has been created to consolidate various governmental programs focused on the recovery of housing and other infrastructure.

The death toll from the twin earthquakes has risen to 2,954, with 16,592 individuals injured, according to Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly. The earthquakes impacted Caracas and six other northern states, with La Guaira, a coastal region that experienced a devastating landslide in 1999, being the most severely affected.

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The plan will be ready next week.