Venezuela contacts IMF to release blocked funds for earthquake reconstruction

Venezuela is engaging with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unblock national resources held overseas, according to acting president Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez confirmed direct conversations with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, aiming to expedite access to funds needed for national reconstruction efforts after earthquakes struck on June 24.

The Venezuelan government is actively seeking emergency capital from various global financing entities. Rodríguez stated that any funds secured will be prioritized for recovery programs in the regions most affected by the disaster. Key investment areas include rehabilitating road infrastructure, restoring essential public services, and providing direct subsidies to impacted families.

In parallel, the government has announced a new public housing and urban development plan incorporating strict seismic-resistant engineering criteria. Authorities publicly acknowledged the critical need to update local building codes to mitigate risks from future natural phenomena, with Rodríguez asserting, "We must assume that Venezuela is a seismic country."

The Ministry of Housing is seeking technical guidance from engineers and specialists in countries with extensive experience in earthquake management, such as Mexico, Japan, and Chile. National technical committees and foreign advisors have begun evaluating the structural standards that will govern all future public works in the country's northern region.

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We must assume that Venezuela is a seismic country.