A nationwide State of Emergency has been declared in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured, according to Acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The casualty count is expected to rise as authorities remain unable to assess the worst-hit coastal state because of communication failures.
The twin quakes caused widespread destruction across parts of the country, forced the closure of the country’s main international airport and triggered rescue operations involving security forces, medical personnel and civil protection teams. Governments across Latin America, the United States and other countries have also offered emergency assistance.
La Guaira among worst-hit as communications remain disrupted
Rodriguez described the northern coastal state of La Guaira as a “disaster zone”, saying dozens of buildings had collapsed.
“La Guaira state is a true tragedy,” she said during an address on Venezuelan state television.
She said the preliminary toll of 32 deaths and over 700 injuries did not include victims from La Guaira because connectivity issues were preventing authorities from compiling complete information.
In a separate post on X, Rodriguez announced a nationwide State of Emergency.
“Following the strong earthquakes recorded this afternoon in the country, we have declared a State of Emergency throughout the national territory. We call on all citizens to remain alert, safe, and as calm as possible,” she said.
She also confirmed that Maiquetia airport had been shut after sustaining earthquake damage.
Twin quakes strike within minutes
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and struck at 2204 GMT on Wednesday near the coastal town of Moron, around 160 km west of Caracas.
A stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed about a minute later.
The USGS said both earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, increasing the likelihood of severe ground shaking. The agency also assessed that the earthquakes were likely to cause high casualties and extensive damage.
Buildings collapse across affected cities
Interior, Justice and Peace Minister Diosdado Cabello said several cities reported structural damage after the earthquakes.
He said multiple buildings collapsed in the eastern part of the Caracas metropolitan area but did not immediately provide casualty figures.
Cabello urged residents to stay away from buildings because of the threat of strong aftershocks and appealed for calm as emergency operations continued.
The earthquakes were also felt strongly in several neighbouring Colombian cities, according to local media reports.
International rescue and humanitarian support announced
As rescue efforts continued, several countries offered specialised teams, humanitarian supplies and emergency assistance to Venezuela.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government had begun preparations to send rescue and health personnel after Venezuelan authorities requested specialised support.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced immediate humanitarian assistance, while Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said search, rescue and emergency response teams from his country’s armed forces would depart for Venezuela.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had instructed officials to assess assistance measures for Venezuela.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele offered to deploy 300 rescuers and paramedics along with 50 tonnes of equipment, medicines and essential supplies.
From the United States, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington was coordinating assistance with Venezuelan authorities.
Chile also expressed readiness to provide humanitarian and rescue support. Messages of solidarity additionally came from Honduras, Argentina and former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez.
Rodriguez thanked the countries for their offers of assistance and said the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and the government’s emergency command would coordinate the incoming humanitarian support as rescue operations continued.