The IMF will in future base at least part of its assessments of Venezuela’s
economy on data provided by the Venezuelan authorities, rather than relying
solely on IMF staff estimates — the first time in years it has done so. The
decision follows the IMF’s resumption of formal contacts with Venezuela in April
and expanded engagement with acting President Rodríguez’s government. A senior
IMF special envoy visited Caracas in July, the first visit by a senior IMF
official in more than 20 years; IMF staff also conducted a visit that concluded
in early September. The IMF’s World Economic Outlook is due October 13.
