Venezuela's interim president asks UK to release gold for quake aid

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez wrote to King Charles III demanding the release of roughly 30‑32 tonnes of Venezuelan gold frozen at the Bank of England, saying the metal “belongs to our people” and is needed for reconstruction after the June 24 double earthquake (magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5). She also called for an end to U.S. and other sanctions and said she had spoken with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva to free blocked Venezuelan assets.

The earthquakes killed at least 3,811 people, injured 16,740 and left 17,907 homeless. In response, Venezuela has received 40 tonnes of food from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama, and has restored 96 % of electricity and 84 % of water service in the hardest‑hit state of La Guaira. International donors, including Starlink, are helping restore communications, while the government is urging foreign firms to join a rapid‑build housing programme.