Why did IMF suspend work with Venezuela on economic data?

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The IMF Suspended Work with Venezuela on Economic Data Due to Questions About the Country's Recognized Government

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspended its work with Venezuela concerning economic data in January due to uncertainties surrounding the country's recognized government. This action preceded the Venezuelan central bank's release of its first economic data in nearly four years, which was published by authorities aligned with President Nicolas Maduro's government. The IMF has stated it cannot fully assess the quality of this recently released data, which indicated a 22.5 per cent economic contraction in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
Concerns Over Government Recognition Led to Suspension

In January, the IMF halted its engagement with Venezuela on economic data collection and analysis. This decision stemmed from unresolved questions regarding which governmental authority was legitimately recognized to represent the country. The IMF's spokesman indicated that the data subsequently released by the Venezuelan central bank on Tuesday was issued by officials within President Nicolas Maduro's administration.
Data Quality Assessment Hindered by Lack of Contact

Following the release of economic figures, the IMF spokesman clarified that the fund was unable to conduct a thorough assessment of the data's quality. This inability to verify the data's accuracy is attributed to the absence of direct contact with the relevant Venezuelan authorities, which has prevented the IMF from undertaking a comprehensive review. The data itself reported a significant economic contraction of 22.5 per cent for Venezuela in the third quarter of 2018 when measured against the corresponding period in 2017.
Venezuela Previously Faced a "Declaration of Censure"

Last year, the IMF issued a formal "declaration of censure" against Venezuela. This measure was a direct consequence of the country's failure to provide timely and accurate economic data, including critical indicators like gross domestic product and inflation. Such a declaration serves as a significant warning, signaling that Venezuela could face repercussions, including being barred from voting on IMF policies and potential expulsion, if it does not resume consistent and reliable reporting of its economic statistics.

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Why did IMF suspend work with Venezuela on economic data?

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