IMF, World Bank say they are restoring ties with Venezuela

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez calls resumption of ties ‘great achievement’ of Venezuelan diplomacy.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have announced the resumption of ties with Venezuela under the Latin American nation’s interim leader.The Washington, DC-based financial institutions severed ties with Caracas in 2019 amid a split in the international community over whether to support Nicolas Maduro or Juan Guaido as the country’s rightful leader following disputed presidential elections.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israel and Lebanon’s 10-day ceasefire goes into effectlist 2 of 4US panel approves Trump’s design for massive arch in Washington, DClist 3 of 4People in Beirut wary of trusting Israel will uphold Lebanon ceasefirelist 4 of 4Celebrations on the road as people begin returning to southern Lebanonend of listIMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement on Thursday that the institution had resumed dealings with Venezuela under the administration of acting President Delcy Rodriguez.“This important step, guided by the views of our members, allows the Fund to re‑engage in a way that can ultimately benefit the Venezuelan people,” Georgieva said in a post on social media.The World Bank announced that it would follow the IMF’s lead in a statement shortly afterwards, saying it had been “guided by the outcome” of the fellow lender’s decision-making process.The bank said it had last made a loan to Caracas in 2005.Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a news conference after signing an agreement between Chevron Venezuela and the national government at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on April 13, 2026 [Juan Barreto/AFP]The announcements come several weeks after United States President Donald Trump’s administration lifted sanctions on Rodriguez, the latest move by Washington to confer legitimacy on the acting leader.Rodriguez, who assumed power in January after Trump ordered the abduction of former President Maduro to the US to face drug-trafficking and weapons possession charges, welcomed the announcements.