Shafaqna Pakistan: The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released on Wednesday by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.
The latest official update said 16,740 people were injured in the June 24 disaster, while 17,907 others have been left homeless.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez renewed calls for international sanctions on Venezuela to be eased, arguing that access to the country’s overseas assets would help fund reconstruction efforts.
Speaking on state television channel VTV, she said Venezuela had sufficient assets frozen abroad to support rebuilding, adding that additional funding would also be needed for employment and education programmes.
The US, the European Union and other countries imposed successively more stringent sanctions on Venezuela in the last two decades over allegations that the government engaged in anti-democratic activity and that the country is a haven for drug trafficking.
Many of the measures remain in place. But after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro early this year, Washington provided targeted relief to the country’s oil sector.
After the earthquakes, the US authorised for four months transactions related to earthquake relief that would have been banned by sanctions.
Delcy Rodriguez said she had sent a letter to King Charles requesting the release of Venezuelan gold held at the Bank of England. She also said she had spoken with the head of the International Monetary Fund about releasing funds.
The Bank of England has refused to release some 31 tonnes of Venezuelan gold held in its vaults. The bullion has been the subject of a long-running legal battle in British courts.
source: Geo News
