U.S. Grants Direct Earthquake Aid Transfers and Backs Venezuelan Political Reconciliation

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on 17 July that License General 60 authorises the direct transfer of earthquake‑relief funds to the Venezuelan government, removing the previous requirement to route payments through the Foreign Government Deposit Fund. OFAC stated the licence “includes the payment of taxes, tolls and fees linked to the relief effort”.

The U.S. State Department also welcomed a joint political agenda announced by Venezuela’s interim government and the 2015 opposition Assembly, calling it “an important step forward in the process of political reconciliation”. The announcement follows the June 24 earthquakes that killed more than 4,800 people and injured over 16,700. Washington said the agenda, to begin on 1 August, aims to promote stability, democracy and economic recovery.

In addition, the United States is preparing a reconstruction effort that could involve about 3,000 engineers and technicians and an initial investment of roughly $3 billion to rebuild roads, ports, power and water systems. Humanitarian assistance was also increased, with $300 million in emergency aid – $100 million earmarked for the UN’s OCHA fund – to support NGOs on the ground.