Venezuela Requests Frozen Assets as Earthquake Death Toll Hits 3,811

Twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, causing the deadliest natural disaster in the country in over a century. The quakes hit the states of Carabobo and Yaracuy, devastating Caracas and the coastal region of La Guaira. The official death toll has risen to 3,811, with 16,740 injured and 17,907 left homeless, though the United States Geological Survey suggests the actual number of casualties could be substantially higher.

Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president installed after U.S. forces removed Nicolas Maduro in January, is now calling for the release of frozen state assets to fund reconstruction. Rodriguez announced she will petition King Charles III for the release of 31 tonnes of gold held by the Bank of England and has held discussions with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva regarding blocked funds. The United States has partially lifted economic sanctions for four months to facilitate relief and pledged $150 million in assistance.

International aid efforts are coordinating through the United Nations and CARICOM. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher launched an urgent appeal for $296 million to support 1.3 million people over six months. Additionally, Israel has extended its relief mission by two weeks to assist in mapping 1,300 damaged buildings. Despite the scale of the disaster, the Venezuelan government continues to clash with financial institutions over the return of sovereign reserves.