More than 100 economists [1] are calling on the U.S. to lift sanctions on Venezuela to mitigate the impact of recent earthquakes.
The request comes as the country faces a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by seismic activity. Experts said that existing economic restrictions hinder the delivery of essential aid and slow the recovery of critical infrastructure.
In a joint appeal, the economists said, "The emergency is human before it is political."
The group is advocating for a comprehensive shift in the international financial approach toward Caracas. This includes a call for a moratorium on Venezuelan debt to free up liquid assets for disaster relief [1].
Additionally, the academics said the International Monetary Fund should restore Caracas’ access to the Fund [1]. Such a move would allow the government to seek necessary financial stability tools, and emergency funding to address the immediate needs of the population.
The economists said that the combination of natural disasters and economic isolation creates a precarious environment for civilians. They said that the current sanctions framework prevents the efficient procurement of medical supplies and construction materials needed to rebuild damaged areas [1].
By removing these barriers, the experts believe the U.S. can facilitate a more rapid response to the earthquake damage. The appeal emphasizes that the scale of the disaster requires an immediate suspension of political pressures in favor of humanitarian imperatives [1].
“"The emergency is human before it is political"”
This movement represents a push to decouple humanitarian disaster relief from geopolitical conflict. By targeting the IMF and debt obligations, the economists are attempting to create a financial corridor for aid that bypasses the political deadlock between Washington and Caracas, highlighting the tension between using sanctions as a diplomatic tool and the resulting impact on civilian populations during natural catastrophes.
