IMF Resumes Contacts with Venezuela After More Than 20 Years of Isolation — Bloomberg
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund arrived in Venezuela for the first time in more than two decades, marking an important step toward restoring official relations between Caracas and the financial organization. The visit could mark the beginning of a new phase of cooperation following a long period of the country’s de facto isolation from the IMF.
According to the Fund, Nigel Chalk, Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, met with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez during his visit to Caracas. This visit marked a key step in restoring official relations between the country and the international financial institution following a prolonged period of isolation.
The parties have not yet provided details on the results of the talks, but the IMF confirmed the official visit itself. The visit took place after Venezuela and the IMF resumed official working contacts in early 2026.
It should be noted that earlier this year, Delsy Rodríguez had already held talks with IMF leadership. Following those talks, Venezuela gained access to $346 million from its reserve assets held with the Fund. The country’s government allocated part of these funds to address the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck in late June. According to World Bank estimates, the damage from the disasters reached $20 billion.
According to Bloomberg, the resumption of cooperation with the IMF is part of a broader strategy by the Venezuelan government to normalize relations with international financial institutions and return the country to global capital markets.
Following a shift in the political situation in Venezuela in early 2026, the government launched economic reforms and intensified contacts with the United States. One area of cooperation has been opening the oil sector to foreign investors, as well as preparing for a possible restructuring of the country’s sovereign debt, on which it has been in default for nearly a decade.
In addition to the IMF, representatives from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have visited Venezuela in recent months. This signals a gradual resumption of the country’s cooperation with international financial organizations after a prolonged period of limited contact, according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Venezuela has risen following two powerful earthquakes—3,535 people have died.
In Venezuela, a boy spent six days trapped under the rubble after the powerful earthquakes.
Two powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela; there may be tens of thousands of victims.
Later, the death toll from the devastating earthquake in Venezuela rose.
