Venezuela is grappling with widespread devastation after twin earthquakes, the strongest in a century, pushed the death toll to 2,595. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed more than 12,000 injuries and significant structural damage across the nation, particularly in Caracas and La Guaira. With direct physical damage estimated at $6.7 billion by the UN and total economic losses exceeding $10 billion, international aid efforts, including a major response from the U.S., are underway.
Caracas, Venezuela – The tragic toll from Venezuela's powerful twin earthquakes continued its grim ascent today, with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announcing a revised death count of 2,595. This latest figure represents a significant increase of 300 fatalities from yesterday, as rescue operations persist more than a week after the nation experienced its most potent tremors in over a century.
In her inaugural press conference since assuming the presidency in January—following a U.S. military operation that led to the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro—Rodríguez emphasized that search and rescue efforts remain active. She confirmed that over 12,000 individuals have sustained injuries, though specific numbers for those still missing were not provided. Unofficial online lists, however, suggest approximately 38,500 people are still unaccounted for, a reduction from nearly 60,000 reported in the immediate aftermath of the quakes.
The catastrophic event unfolded last Wednesday when a magnitude 7.2 tremor was instantaneously followed by a devastating 7.5 mainshock. These seismic events, the strongest to impact Venezuela since 1900, left a trail of destruction, flattening structures across the capital, Caracas, and the heavily impacted coastal state of La Guaira. Simón Bolívar International Airport, the primary aerial gateway to the capital, suffered severe damage. Heartbreakingly, nearly all government officials in La Guaira perished in the disaster, Rodríguez disclosed.
Initial assessments by authorities indicate nearly 800 buildings collapsed, with 189 completely destroyed. A more comprehensive preliminary satellite analysis from NASA and Oregon State University, updated Monday, estimates that around 58,870 buildings likely sustained damage or were obliterated.
Economically, the impact is staggering. The United Nations Development Programme projects direct physical damage at an estimated $6.7 billion, a sum equivalent to roughly 6% of Venezuela’s gross domestic product. Risk modeling firm Verisk’s analysis paints an even broader picture, estimating total economic losses from the earthquake sequence to exceed $10 billion.
Despite the widespread calamity, the government reported only minor disruptions to oil terminals, with exports appearing largely consistent following the disaster. Inspections are currently underway at state-run PDVSA’s Catia La Mar fuel terminal, situated within one of the hardest-hit regions, to assess potential damage.
The international community has rallied to support Venezuela. The United States has launched one of its most extensive disaster response operations in recent years, deploying four specialized search-and-rescue teams comprising over 900 personnel within Venezuela. An additional 800 personnel are stationed in Caribbean support hubs like Puerto Rico and Curaçao. The Trump administration has committed $150 million in humanitarian aid. Under UN coordination, countries including Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and Switzerland have also pledged crucial assistance.
Responding to criticisms regarding the speed of its reaction, the Venezuelan government defended its efforts. Rodríguez affirmed that an emergency decree was swiftly issued, activating civil protection and emergency protocols within hours of the initial tremors, underscoring a rapid and organized response to the unprecedented destruction.
