The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have announced the resumption of relations with Venezuela, ending a suspension that began in 2019 when the international community was divided over whether Nicolás Maduro or opposition figure Juan Guaidó held legitimate power. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the move was "guided by the views of our members" and would allow the fund to re-engage in ways that could benefit ordinary Venezuelans, with the World Bank quickly following suit. The development paves the way for cash-strapped Venezuela — which carries an estimated $150bn in external debt — to seek financial assistance from the two institutions, and comes after the US lifted sanctions on acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power in January following the US-ordered removal of Maduro to face drug-trafficking charges.