IMF and World Bank Resume Relations with Venezuela After Five-Year Pause

Apr 17, 2026

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced the resumption of formal engagement with Venezuela after a five-year suspension that began in 2019 amid disputed elections and international disagreement over whether Nicolas Maduro or Juan Guaido was the legitimate leader. The decision recognizes acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power in January after Donald Trump ordered the abduction of Maduro to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges. The resumption clears the way for Venezuela to request financial assistance from the institutions, which previously rejected a $5 billion emergency COVID-19 loan request in 2020 due to lack of consensus on Maduro's legitimacy. Venezuela, a member of both institutions since 1946, faces external liabilities exceeding $150 billion and has not received a World Bank loan since 2005.

Resumption of IMF and World Bank Relations with Venezuela

▪The World Bank's decision to resume ties with Venezuela was guided by the outcome of the International Monetary Fund's decision-making process.
▪The International Monetary Fund announced the resumption of ties with Venezuela under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
▪The World Bank announced the resumption of ties with Venezuela following the International Monetary Fund's decision.
▪Venezuela has been a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank since 1946.

Historical Context of Severed Ties and Previous Loan Rejections

▪The World Bank last made a loan to Venezuela in 2005.
▪Venezuela has total external liabilities estimated at more than $150 billion.
▪The International Monetary Fund and World Bank severed ties with Venezuela following disputed presidential elections.
▪The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank severed ties with Venezuela in 2019 amid a split in the international community over whether to support Nicolas Maduro or Juan Guaido as the country's rightful leader.
▪The International Monetary Fund rejected Venezuela's request for an emergency loan of $5 billion in 2020 to help fund Venezuela's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪The International Monetary Fund cited the lack of an international consensus on the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro's leadership as the reason for rejecting Venezuela's 2020 emergency loan request.

Venezuela's Leadership Transition and International Recognition

▪United States President Donald Trump's administration lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez.
▪Nicolas Maduro was abducted to the United States to face drug-trafficking and weapons possession charges.
▪Delcy Rodriguez assumed power as acting President of Venezuela in January after Donald Trump ordered the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.

Perspective of Venezuela under Delcy Rodriguez

▪Venezuela's access to International Monetary Fund and World Bank financial assistance could help address the country's external liabilities exceeding $150 billion.