VENEZUELA DEATH TOLL FROM JUNE EARTHQUAKES REACHES 5,069

The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June has risen to 5,069 people, according to officials. The earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, were the largest to affect the country in more than a century. Official figures indicate that more than 16,740 people sustained injuries in the twin quakes. Additionally, more than 21,230 people remain in makeshift camps, whilst 17,907 are without housing.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced Friday that Venezuela's government will receive $346 million in emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund to support affected families with housing, infrastructure and essential public services. The funding comes as Venezuela continues to operate under comprehensive economic sanctions imposed by the United States nearly a decade ago. A group of 14 democratic United States lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump this week requesting the removal of sanctions, arguing that the restrictions hamper relief efforts and threaten Venezuela's recovery.

The lawmakers contended in their letter that whilst the earthquakes were unavoidable natural disasters, the sanctions regime and asset freezes represent preventable obstacles to reconstruction. They called for an immediate release of Venezuela's frozen assets abroad. Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, characterised the recovery effort as evidence of national resilience, stating that displaced persons in temporary camps demonstrate the nation's capacity to endure hardship.