Following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck last month, the Venezuelan government has officially requested that countries holding its frozen assets release those funds to support ongoing recovery efforts. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto addressed a meeting of UN officials and partners on Wednesday, arguing that these blocked resources are essential for addressing the humanitarian crisis.
“We call upon all countries currently holding blocked funds belonging to Venezuela to initiate a plan to release these funds so that they can be used for recovery efforts,” stated Gil. He noted that these state accounts, which include gold held in the United Kingdom and finances restricted by the United States, were frozen as a result of international sanctions. While Washington has previously imposed extensive economic sanctions—particularly since 2019—to pressure the administration of former president Nicolás Maduro, the US has recently lifted some restrictions for a four-month period to assist with relief operations.
The political landscape in Venezuela has shifted significantly since US forces toppled Maduro in January. Relations with Caracas have since improved, with the Trump administration now supporting interim President Delcy Rodríguez and gradually easing sanctions to encourage the development of the nation’s oil reserves.
As of Tuesday, the government confirmed that the death toll from the 7.3 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes has reached 3,685, with nearly 17,000 individuals reported injured. Nearly two weeks after the disaster, international rescue operations are winding down, leaving families in severely affected areas like La Guaira to continue searching through the rubble for their loved ones.
To combat the massive humanitarian need, the United Nations launched an urgent appeal on Wednesday seeking $296 million (€259 million) to fund relief operations. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the scale of the crisis, noting that while $300 million (€263 million) has been tracked for the response—including $115 million (€100 million) provided prior to the quakes—a funding gap of $627 million (€549 million) remains. “Donors are already stepping up and I pay tribute to them and I thank them,” UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said during a meeting on the disaster. The UN’s time-bound plan aims to provide critical support to 1.3 million people over the next six months.
Venezuela's government called for the release of frozen assets on Wednesday to help raise funds for the country's recovery from last month's twin earthquakes that killed at least 3,600 people.
There is huge humanitarian need after one of Latin America's worst earthquake disasters left thousands of people homeless and thousands more still missing, especially in badly damaged La Guaira, where families are still digging in the rubble.
