Venezuela's acting president says U.S. is unfreezing sanctioned funds

Acting president Delcy Rodriguez said the United States has begun unblocking Venezuelan funds frozen under sanctions and that the resources will be used in part to purchase hospital equipment; she did not specify the amount, and Washington has confirmed a new charge d'affaires to Venezuela.

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, said on state television that the United States has started unblocking funds that were frozen under U.S. sanctions. She said the resources belong to the Venezuelan people and that some will be used to purchase hospital equipment from the United States and other countries. Rodriguez did not provide a figure for the amount being released. The comment comes amid recently renewed contacts between Washington and Venezuela's interim authorities. Key reported details: - Delcy Rodriguez announced that the United States has begun unblocking funds frozen by sanctions. - Rodriguez said the funds will be used in part to acquire hospital equipment and did not state how much money is being released. - The United States has confirmed Laura F. Dogu as charge d'affaires to Venezuela, a step reported as part of restoring diplomatic engagement. Summary: If the unblocking proceeds as reported, Venezuelan authorities say some resources could be directed toward health-related purchases. The amount released was not specified. The confirmation of a U.S. charge d'affaires was described as a diplomatic step. Undetermined at this time.