We urge the IMF to reverse its decision to refuse Venezuela’s request for a $5 billion loan from the emergency fund of the Rapid Financing Instrument to help combat COVID-19 in Venezuela. This fund was set up precisely to respond to the current global pandemic.

We are concerned this decision was influenced by the Trump administration’s pursuit of illegal ‘regime change’ in Venezuela.

We also express our opposition to the US decision to impose an even harsher blockade on Venezuela at this time – this will deny the country vital health supplies, hit ordinary Venezuelans the most, and lead to innocent lives being lost.