By Canadian Press

Lagarde: IMF ready to help rescue Venezuelan economy

Mar 7, 2019 | 5:35 PM

WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund is ready to rescue Venezuela’s economy, but the task will be so huge that it will require financial help from other international players, the head of the body said Thursday.

“As soon as we are asked by the legitimate authorities of that country to come in and help, we will come in,” IMF managing director Christine Lagarde told The Economist Radio. “It is going to require significant financing from all the international community.”

The IMF has yet to determine whether it will recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as president of Venezuela.

Guaido, who is the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, pledged on Jan. 23 to serve as interim president of the South American country and has been recognized by many countries in the Americas and Europe who argue Nicolas Maduro’s re-election as president was invalid.

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Lagarde called a potential economic rescue a “monumental” task, mainly because the fund would have to a lot to catch up on since late President Hugo Chavez and his successor Maduro refused to provide information that would enable the IMF to perform the annual audit it requires of its members.

She added that the amount of financing needed by the country would be “significant,” but did not provide a precise amount.

“We will open our wallet, we will put our brain to it and we will make sure our heart is in the right place to help the poorest and the most exposed people,” she said.

The economy of the oil-rich nation has shrunk by more than half since 2013, according to IMF data. Hyperinflation and shortages of food and other necessities have also driven at least 3 million Venezuelans out of their country, according to the United Nations.

In comments about who the body believes is the legitimate president of Venezuela, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said Thursday the “situation remains very fluid on the ground and in terms of international recognition.”

Rice said he is not aware of any contact in the past month and a half between the IMF and neither Venezuelan authorities nor members of Guaido’s staff. He also said the executive board has not convened a meeting, which would be the first step toward lending Guaido official recognition.

“If you look at other international organizations, many have not made a determination as yet, including the United Nations,” Rice said.

Important members of the IMF including Russia and China continue to recognize Maduro.

As is common with multilateral organizations, the IMF prefers to reach a consensus rather than vote on divisive topics.

Rice described the Venezuelan crisis as “one of the most complex situations we have seen here at the Fund.”

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Luis Alonso Lugo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo

Luis Alonso Lugo, The Associated Press