Venezuelan officials emphasized the importance of helping children deal with the impact of the US attack. (Culture Ministry)
Mérida, January 21, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government launched a series of initiatives over the weekend to support communities affected by the January 3 bombings carried out by the United States.
On Friday, January 16, folk artists performed at the Rómulo Gallegos Urbanization in La Guaira state, where US forces struck the local port. The attack destroyed a medical supplies warehouse and a residential building, killing an elderly civilian woman.
During the event, Venezuelan singer-songwriter Benjamín Zambrano said that music helps restore collective spirit and identity. “Through song we invoke our roots, our conscience, our way of life, and our right to live in peace,” he stated.
Cultural events continued Saturday at the Ezequiel Zamora Urban Complex in Ciudad Tiuna, Caracas, organized by the Venezuelan Housing Mission and the Ministry of Culture. The large-scale housing complex is adjacent to Fuerte Tiuna, the capital’s main military headquarters where most of the US strikes took place.
During the recreational activity, Culture Minister Ernesto Villegas said the government has a responsibility to help more than 10,000 families recover from the impact of the January 3 attacks. The US operation likewise included the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
Multiple Venezuelan artists performed in Ciudad Tiuna on Saturday and Sunday as well.
On Saturday, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez also visited Ciudad Tiuna, where 463 apartments were reported damaged.
She called for swift efforts to restore the affected homes and emphasized the importance of supporting children. “We wanted to hold special events for our children, including psychological support sessions,” the acting president told press.
“The Venezuelan people should know that there is hope and a future for our children,” Rodríguez added, noting that recreational activities will continue over the coming weekends. The visit additionally provided a food market as well as healthcare and psychological services.
Rodríguez expands on upcoming economic reforms
The Ciudad Tiuna visit likewise saw Rodríguez comment on announced economic reforms, including two “sovereign wealth funds” to manage oil revenues. The acting president announced the initiative during her 2026 annual address before the National Assembly.
“The first fund will focus on social protection to improve workers’ incomes,” she affirmed. “This will ensure that foreign currency goes directly to hospitals, schools, food programs, and housing.”
The second fund will focus on “water, electricity, and road infrastructure.”
Over the weekend, Rodríguez also led a meeting of the National Productive Economy Council with representatives from private sector associations. She presented the 2025 economic growth forecast and the strategic roadmap for the current year.
Alongside the sovereign wealth funds, she outlined a package of legislative initiatives scheduled for the coming months. The government’s plans include a reform of the Hydrocarbon Law designed to “integrate the advances made under the anti-blockade law” in order to improve conditions for foreign investors.
According to Rodríguez, when the current law was enacted in 2001, Venezuela had “mature and developed oil fields to attract investment,” but now seeks to bring capital to “virgin or green fields.”
Former President Hugo Chávez implemented key changes to oil regulations in 2001 and 2006 to increase the Venezuelan state’s role in the sector while also raising tax and royalty payments to sustain social programs.
Acting President Rodríguez went on to present legislative projects to defend socioeconomic rights and streamline bureaucratic procedures.
In addition, she proposed creating “a national committee to defend Venezuela’s economic rights worldwide,” with representation from the national executive branch and sectors including oil, agriculture, industry, commerce, banking, non-oil exports, and community organizations.
“This committee,” Rodríguez argued, “will defend Venezuela’s economic rights in multilateral organizations and international forums, traveling the world to promote and uphold those rights.”
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.