Caracas: Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced on Wednesday that she has decided to send a letter to Britain's King Charles III. The letter requests the release of approximately 30 tons of Venezuela's gold reserves, which are currently frozen at the Bank of England due to UK sanctions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rodriguez stated that the primary aim of releasing these funds is to provide aid to victims and facilitate the rebuilding of areas affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24. The gold reserves are seen as vital resources that belong to the Venezuelan people and should be utilized to address the severe consequences caused by the twin earthquakes.

Rodriguez emphasized the necessity of accessing these sovereign assets to expedite the reconstruction process, increase employment, boost economic activity, and restore educational services in the affected regions. She highlighted the importance of recovering the assets to directly support the social welfare of those impacted by the disaster.

In a related development, Rodriguez engaged in a phone conversation with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, discussing the release of Venezuela's frozen assets.

The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the South American nation just 39 seconds apart on June 24. The natural disaster resulted in widespread destruction, triggering a comprehensive national and international humanitarian response.