The death toll from the double earthquake in Venezuela has risen to 3,811 people, according to data released by the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, on Wednesday. This was reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
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According to the latest data, the number of injured as a result of the earthquakes on June 24 is 16,740 people, and the number of those left homeless is 17,907.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez again called for the lifting of international sanctions against Venezuela to facilitate post-earthquake recovery, noting that the country has sufficient foreign assets to finance reconstruction if frozen accounts were unfrozen.
Venezuela has resources blocked around the world that could ensure this reconstruction process
Over the past two decades, the United States, the European Union, and other countries have imposed increasingly severe sanctions against Venezuela over accusations of anti-democratic activities by the government and the country's transformation into a hub for drug trafficking.
Many of these measures remain in effect. However, after the United States detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, Washington granted targeted relief for the country's oil sector.
After the earthquakes, the United States allowed for four months operations related to earthquake relief that would have been prohibited by sanctions.
Delcy Rodríguez said she sent a letter to King Charles requesting the release of Venezuelan gold held at the Bank of England. She also said she spoke with the head of the International Monetary Fund regarding the release of funds.
The Bank of England has refused to release about 31 tons of Venezuelan gold stored in its vaults. These bars have been the subject of a lengthy legal battle in British courts.