Venezuela has confirmed 32 deaths and more than 700 injuries following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country, with authorities warning that the toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed structures in the hardest-hit areas.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the casualties following consecutive earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. Rodriguez expressed condolences to families who lost relatives and said the government would provide support during the emergency response period.
The earthquakes caused extensive damage across northern and western Venezuela, affecting several states including Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, Carabobo, Falcón, Yaracuy, Aragua, Trujillo and Zulia. Authorities identified La Guaira as the most severely affected area and declared the state a “disaster zone” after the collapse of dozens of buildings and damage to key infrastructure.
Rodriguez said public health facilities had activated maximum capacity protocols to treat injured citizens, while emergency shelters were opened for families forced to leave their homes. Temporary triage centers were established to manage the large number of injured people, according to local health authorities.
Emergency services and civil defense teams continued operations to locate survivors trapped beneath concrete rubble. Authorities said rescue efforts in La Guaira were complicated by damaged transport corridors and infrastructure failures that slowed access to affected areas. The acting president clarified that the current death toll does not include possible additional victims who may still be trapped in collapsed buildings.
The Venezuelan government announced the immediate mobilization of national funds and structural assessment teams to evaluate damaged buildings and support emergency operations. Officials also suspended non-essential commercial activities and school operations in high-risk areas to keep transport routes available for emergency vehicles and reduce risks from possible aftershocks.
Hotels and specialized shelters were prepared to accommodate displaced families and residents whose homes suffered structural damage. The government also encouraged citizens to use the VenApp digital platform to report missing relatives and dangerous structural conditions, allowing emergency teams to coordinate response efforts.
The first earthquake struck with a magnitude of 7.2, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers from Montalban in Carabobo state. A second earthquake measuring 7.5 followed shortly afterward, with an epicenter 23 kilometers from Yumare in Yaracuy state, causing further destruction across affected regions.
International assistance efforts began as governments offered humanitarian support and specialized rescue resources. Rodriguez said rescue brigades from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico and Qatar were expected to arrive to assist Venezuelan emergency teams.
The acting president also confirmed communication with U.S. President Donald Trump, Dominican President Luis Abinader and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele regarding coordination of international assistance efforts. Venezuela also received offers of support from China, Brazil and several Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Saint Lucia and Dominica.
Regional governments across Latin America also expressed support. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said his government was evaluating assistance measures after expressing concern over the earthquake damage. Ecuador announced emergency support and established communication channels to assist its citizens in Venezuela, while Uruguay offered cooperation for recovery efforts.
Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Chile and other countries also conveyed solidarity and offered assistance. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said Cuban medical personnel in Venezuela were mobilized to provide care to affected communities.
The Venezuelan government said incoming international support would strengthen rescue operations, provide medical supplies and reinforce civil protection efforts in the areas most affected by the disaster. Emergency coordinators are organizing the distribution of aid to La Guaira and other damaged regions as search and recovery operations continue.
