The Daily Journal — Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, announced Thursday night that her government has launched diplomatic efforts to secure the release of blocked international assets and funds to finance reconstruction and humanitarian relief following the twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
Rodríguez announced a videoconference with coordinators from the 87 temporary camps established to assist the thousands of people displaced by the earthquakes in north-central Venezuela.
Formal request for the gold held in London
During her remarks, the interim president revealed that her government has taken direct diplomatic action with the United Kingdom to recover Venezuela’s gold reserves held under British custody.
“I have decided to send a letter, among others, to the King of England asking him to release the gold held at the Bank of England. That gold belongs to our people, and we must use it to address the terrible, tragic consequences of these twin earthquakes,” she said.
Contacts with the IMF
Rodríguez also said she recently spoke by telephone with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and thanked her “for her attention and understanding regarding the release of Venezuela’s blocked resources.”
On July 3, the interim president announced the creation of an initial $200 million reconstruction fund for the areas affected by the earthquakes. She said the government expects to finance the fund with resources that Venezuela is seeking to recover through the IMF.
