Wednesday, July 8th 2026 - 07:10 UTC
A worker paints the graves of unidentified victims of the June 24 earthquake. Photo: Miguel Medina / AFP
The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 rose to at least 3,685, after another 150 fatalities were added to Monday's count, according to official figures. The number of injured held at 16,740 and that of people rescued at 6,462, while those who lost their homes rose to 17,907. Authorities present the data as provisional.
Separately, a group of 113 economists and academics asked the US government to lift its economic sanctions on Venezuela and called on the International Monetary Fund to ease the country's access to international financial mechanisms to cope with the emergency. The signatories requested the removal of restrictions on the Central Bank, the state oil company PDVSA and other institutions, arguing that the measures prevent resources from reaching those who need them most. Washington had not commented on the request.
The United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, arrived in Venezuela for a four-day visit during which he will meet survivors, rescue workers and senior government officials, including acting president Delcy Rodríguez. Fletcher is due to take part on Wednesday in a ministerial-level briefing on the humanitarian response and the next steps.
