Belize Steps Up for Venezuela While Death Toll Rises to Over 3,800

Belize has joined the humanitarian regional response to Venezuela’s earthquake disaster. The country sent over three containers of aid as the death toll climbs past 3,800 and Caracas pushes for access to billions in frozen overseas funds.

The shipment departed the Port of Georgetown, Guyana, on Wednesday aboard a CARICOM relief vessel carrying 88 containers of aid destined for communities devastated by the earthquakes.

Belize’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Gale Miller Garnett, joined Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips at the port to see it off. She described the moment as one of solidarity, saying, “It was a wonderful feeling because of the fact that it was a symbol of Belize as a country supporting the Venezuelan people… Venezuela was there for us through Petrocaribe and all of so many different iterations of assistance. So it was a proud moment for us.”

Belize’s contribution included pharmaceutical supplies, non-perishable food and cleaning materials.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodriguez renews calls for sanctions relief. Rodriguez argues that the country holds enough frozen assets abroad to fund its own reconstruction if released. Rodriguez has written to King Charles requesting the release of Venezuelan gold held at the Bank of England, roughly 31 tonnes, still tied up in a long-running legal dispute. She has also raised the matter with the IMF.