Death toll from Venezuela quakes rises to 3,811 as government seeks frozen funds

CARACAS — The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has climbed to 3,811, according to figures released Wednesday by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.

Authorities said 16,740 people were injured in the June 24 earthquakes, while 17,907 others have been left homeless as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez renewed her appeal for international sanctions on Venezuela to be lifted, saying the country could use its frozen overseas assets to help finance reconstruction.

"Venezuela has resources blocked around the world that could address this process of reconstruction," Rodriguez said on state television. She added that additional funding is also needed to support employment and education programs for communities affected by the disaster.

The United States, the European Union, and several other countries imposed sanctions on Venezuela over the past two decades, citing concerns about anti-democratic actions and allegations of drug trafficking linked to the government.

Although many sanctions remain in place, Washington eased some restrictions on Venezuela's oil sector earlier this year following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

In response to the earthquakes, the United States also authorized, for four months, transactions related to earthquake relief that would otherwise have been prohibited under existing sanctions.

Rodriguez said she had sent a letter to King Charles requesting the release of Venezuelan gold held by the Bank of England. She also said she had spoken with the head of the International Monetary Fund about unlocking additional financial assistance.

The Bank of England has refused to release approximately 31 tons of Venezuelan gold stored in its vaults. The gold remains at the center of a long-running legal dispute in British courts. -Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Natalia Siniawski, Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Cynthia Osterman/Reuters