Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 5,100 as IMF funds flow to rebuilding

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that devastated Venezuela on June 24 has surpassed 5,000, as the country secured $346 million from the International Monetary Fund to fund reconstruction and faced mounting criticism over its military's initial response to the disaster.

An official tally released Saturday placed the number of dead at 5,119, according to AFP, while local authorities reported the figure at 5,069 on Friday. The number of injured remains at 16,740, unchanged for 11 days, and nearly 20,000 people have been left homeless, most sheltering in makeshift camps across La Guaira state.abcnews+3

IMF Funds Released for Rebuilding

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced Friday that Venezuela had withdrawn $346 million from its IMF reserves to support reconstruction. The funds, previously frozen, will be directed toward housing, infrastructure, and essential public services for families affected by the disaster.ilsole24ore+2

The release followed weeks of negotiations between IMF officials and Venezuelan authorities. Venezuela holds approximately $4.8 billion in assets with the IMF, including $350 million in its reserve tranche and $4.5 billion in Special Drawing Rights. The disbursement marks a milestone in renewed relations between Caracas and the multilateral lender, which resumed official communications in April after more than two decades.telesurenglish+1

Military Response Under Fire

A Reuters investigation published July 18 revealed that delayed orders from senior military commanders, a lack of basic equipment, and widespread confusion hindered troop deployment in the critical first days after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck. Eight sources familiar with the response told the wire service that civilians spearheaded rescue efforts during the first two days using rudimentary tools, while units like the Marine Infantry Brigade remained idle without receiving instructions to mobilize.ground+1

Years of economic crisis had reduced military readiness, with budgets focused on payroll rather than equipment. The earthquakes struck on Army Day, when many personnel were off duty and officers hesitated to act without direct orders. Overlapping authority between National Guard commander Juan Sulbarán Quintero and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello created additional operational confusion. Rodríguez defended the response, claiming 4,000 officials were deployed immediately, and dismissed reports of chaos as the work of "media laboratories."ground

International Aid and Sanctions Relief

The United States authorized sanctions relief for earthquake-related transactions shortly after the disaster, with a Treasury license permitting all such transactions until October 23. Washington's total financial commitment has reached more than $386 million, including military logistics support and contributions to the UN's humanitarian response.sana+2

Venezuela's government has also called on countries holding frozen Venezuelan assets to release them for reconstruction. Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto urged the release of funds at a meeting with UN representatives, while Rodríguez appealed directly to the UK's King Charles III to unblock approximately $4.2 billion in gold reserves held at the Bank of England. The United Nations estimates total losses from the quakes at $37 billion, equivalent to 32 percent of Venezuela's GDP.justsecurity+2