The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected聽Venezuela's聽appeal for an emergency US$5 billion loan to face the health crisis.
Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza revealed on March 17 that President Nicolas Maduro had sent a letter to IMF President Kristalina Georgieva requesting funds from the Rapid Financing Instrument to 鈥渟trengthen [Venezuelan] detection and response systems.鈥
The reported on March 16 that the IMF was not 鈥渋n a position to consider鈥 Venezuela鈥檚 request. According to a statement, it does not have 鈥渃larity on recognition鈥 of the Maduro government.
Opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself 鈥溾 in January 2019 and was immediately recognised by the United States and its allies. With its member states split on recognising Guaido as the country鈥檚 legitimate president, the IMF has not taken a position on the matter.
Venezuela鈥檚 healthcare system has been hard hit by years of economic crisis and US . Officials have repeatedly denounced obstacles in importing medicines and other equipment.
Cooperation with the Red Cross and agencies has increased in recent months in attempts to tend to the most vulnerable sectors.
The Washington-based lending body has allocated US$50 billion in loans to countries struggling to deal with the pandemic. Iran reportedly also applied for a US$5 billion loan.
The Maduro government鈥檚 request generated debate on social media, with critics pointing towards former President Hugo Chavez鈥檚 fierce to the IMF over the body鈥檚 promotion of neoliberal structural adjustment policies across the continent.
The Venezuelan government has acted swiftly following the confirmation of the first COVID-19 in the country last week, declaring a state of emergency followed by national quarantine .
Authorities have imposed restrictions on movement and commercial activity, with public transport reserved for workers in the health, food, retail and other priority sectors.
Health officials have warned that the number of confirmed cases is due to grow in the coming days.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced on March 18 that the number of confirmed cases remains at 36. She stated that the quarantine is being 90% enforced and lauded the 鈥渃ollective discipline鈥 of the Venezuelan people.
Rodriguez likewise revealed that Maduro had held a telephone conversation with World Health Organization President Tedros Adhanom, who reportedly pledged to support the country with coronavirus test kits, supplies and technical assistance.
Venezuelan authorities announced on March 18 that a huge testing campaign would be deployed over March 21鈥22 with Venezuelans being asked to fill out an online survey should they have coronavirus symptoms.
[Abridged from .]