Henrique Capriles Demands Immediate Fiscal Relief in Venezuela After June Earthquakes

Opposition deputy Henrique Capriles addressed the National Assembly, urging Venezuela’s government to enact immediate fiscal relief measures following the twin earthquakes of June 24. He criticized the continued collection of the 3 % IGTF financial transaction tax and the 16 % VAT, arguing they exacerbate the economic crisis faced by families and merchants.

Capriles highlighted that the minimum wage is 130 bolívares (about 18 cents) and that a typical family of five now needs the equivalent of 3,433 minimum wages to afford food. Inflation surged to 13.8 % in June, up from 6.3 % in May, with cumulative inflation at 129.8 %. The earthquakes have caused at least 5,546 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and left 17,907 people homeless, damaging 856 buildings and collapsing 190. The World Bank estimates direct physical damages at roughly $19.6 billion.