Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000 as IMF releases recovery funds

Venezuelan officials have reported that over 5,000 people died in last month's dual earthquakes. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on Telegram that 5,069 people were killed, with most casualties occurring in the coastal region. The number of injured remains unchanged at 16,740, with parliamentary leaders previously stating that most have already been discharged from hospitals.

The quakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck within a minute of each other on June 24, devastating the coastal state of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas. Some 20,000 people left homeless by the disaster are living in overcrowded camps, many lacking water supplies and proper sanitation.

On Friday, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the country had accessed $346 million from the IMF for earthquake reconstruction. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed the release, stating on X that the fund worked with key counterparts to help Venezuela access its own resources for urgent humanitarian needs, and that the funds were drawn from the country's reserve tranche.

Venezuela holds 3.568 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at the Fund, equivalent to approximately $5.1 billion, which had been blocked because the IMF did not recognize Nicolas Maduro as president. The IMF and World Bank announced in April they were resuming relations with Venezuela after the US overthrew Maduro in a military incursion in January. Relations had been frozen since 2019.