Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has appealed to King Charles III to approve the release of around 30 tonnes of Venezuelan gold reserves frozen in the United Kingdom, saying the funds are urgently needed to support reconstruction efforts following a devastating earthquake disaster.
Rodriguez said on Wednesday that she had sent a letter to the British monarch requesting access to the gold stored at the Bank of England, arguing that the reserves belong to the Venezuelan people and should be used to address the humanitarian consequences of the disaster.
“I decided to send a letter to the King of England to have the gold held at the Bank of England released. This gold belongs to our people. We need this gold to deal with the consequences of the earthquake,” Rodriguez said during a televised address.
The request comes as Venezuela faces the enormous task of rebuilding communities affected by last month’s twin earthquakes, which authorities say killed at least 3,800 people, destroyed residential buildings and left thousands of others homeless or missing.
Gold dispute linked to UK sanctions and Venezuela’s political crisis
The Venezuelan gold reserves have been held at the Bank of England for several years amid a long-running dispute over control of the country’s international assets.
The issue has been closely tied to Venezuela’s political crisis and international sanctions imposed on senior officials and state institutions. Competing political factions have previously claimed authority over the country’s overseas reserves, leading to legal battles over access to the assets.
The United Kingdom has recognised certain Venezuelan political authorities at different points during the country’s crisis, affecting decisions over whether the gold can be released.
The Venezuelan government has repeatedly argued that the frozen reserves should be returned because they are state assets belonging to the Venezuelan population rather than political groups.
Rodriguez’s latest appeal places the gold dispute within the context of emergency reconstruction needs, as officials seek financial resources to rebuild damaged infrastructure and provide assistance to displaced families.
Earthquake creates major humanitarian challenge
The twin earthquakes last month caused widespread destruction across several areas of Venezuela, according to officials.
Thousands of residents have been forced from their homes after buildings collapsed or suffered severe structural damage. Rescue teams and emergency agencies have continued efforts to locate missing people and provide aid to affected communities.
The scale of the disaster has created pressure on Venezuela’s already strained public services, with authorities facing challenges in providing shelter, medical care and basic supplies.
Rodriguez said the release of the gold reserves would provide additional resources to help the country respond to the crisis.
International response and rebuilding efforts
Natural disasters in Latin America have frequently required large-scale international assistance, with governments, humanitarian organisations and aid agencies often working together to support recovery operations.
Reconstruction after major earthquakes can take years and requires significant investment in housing, transport networks, healthcare facilities and public infrastructure.
For Venezuela, the challenge comes at a time when the country has already experienced years of economic difficulties, political instability and international restrictions that have affected access to financial resources.
The government’s appeal to the British monarch is expected to renew debate over the ownership and management of Venezuela’s overseas assets.
What happens next
The release of the gold would likely require agreement through legal and diplomatic channels involving the British government, the Bank of England and relevant Venezuelan authorities.
It remains unclear whether King Charles III has the authority to directly approve the request, as decisions regarding frozen assets are generally determined through legal and governmental processes.
For now, Venezuelan officials say the priority is securing resources needed for earthquake recovery and ensuring that affected communities receive support.
The request highlights the continuing intersection between Venezuela’s political disputes and the urgent humanitarian needs created by one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent years.
AFP