Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing building collapses in the capital and prompting mass evacuations. The strongest quake was the most intense to hit the country since 1900.
Emergency Declared
Venezuela’s President, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency. She expressed condolences to families suffering losses, urging medical staff to report to work to assist the injured. While she didn’t provide numbers of casualties, the situation’s severity suggests a catastrophe.
Details of the Earthquakes
The first quake occurred shortly after 6 p.m. EST, with a magnitude of 7.2, followed by another less than a minute later at 7.5, according to U.S. monitoring agencies. The epicenter was near San Felipe, a city with about 220,000 residents in Yaracuy state, roughly 320 kilometers west of Caracas.
The U.S. Geological Service released a preliminary analysis describing a “large intensity double seismic sequence.” Agency seismologist Paul Earle labeled the earthquakes as “devastating.”
Political and Economic Context
These earthquakes are recent blows to Venezuela amid extraordinary political and economic turmoil. In January, American forces toppled former leader Nicolás Maduro, under whose administration the economy collapsed. The Trump administration has since taken control of the Venezuelan oil industry, shaping Venezuela into a quasi-vassal state.
Investors from the United States have flocked to Caracas to explore deals, marking Venezuela’s distancing from allies like Cuba, Iran, and Russia.
On-the-Ground Experiences
Josefina Hernández, a 48-year-old administrator in Valencia, said the earthquake began with a deafening noise. Power was lost instantly, and everything inside her home started to move. Emergency teams sifted through debris in El Paraíso, Caracas, searching for survivors in a collapsed six-floor residential building.
Videos on social media displayed passengers seeking safety at Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas and showed rescue teams searching through collapsed structures.
International Response
U.S. embassy officials in Caracas closely monitor the situation, advising Americans in Venezuela to follow updates on the Department of State’s “Safe Traveler” page.
The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, responded on social media, stating his country had offered aid and that 300 rescue workers and paramedics were prepared to travel to Caracas with equipment, medicine, and supplies.
The U.S. has mobilized search and rescue teams, medical, and humanitarian supplies to Venezuela and is coordinating with the Venezuelan government.
Neighboring Nations’ Support
Nations adjoining Venezuela have pledged humanitarian assistance and support for rescue efforts. Ecuador’s President, Daniel Noboa, ensured immediate aid delivery to Venezuela. Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, offered humanitarian support, and Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, instructed his Foreign Ministry to determine ways Brazil could assist Venezuela.
Confirmed Casualties
At least three people were reported dead following the collapse of two buildings in Baruta, Caracas, said Darwin González, the mayor of Baruta. This is among the first official death reports, with expectations of rising casualties.
Efforts in Florida
Venezuelan residents in South Florida reached out to relatives in Caracas amidst communication difficulties due to unstable mobile and internet service.
Adelys Ferro, head of the Venezuelan American Caucus, struggled to contact her family, who survived the earthquakes with minor injuries. Ferro urged the Venezuelan government to lift internet site restrictions for citizens to access information from abroad.
Details on Earthquake Impact
According to the U.S. Geological Service’s preliminary analysis, the earthquakes were a “large intensity double seismic sequence.” Although they struck rural areas near San Felipe, their effects extended to urban centers like Caracas.
Lourdes Azuaje, a San Felipe resident, felt intense shaking, causing building damage. She planned to spend the night outside, fearing aftershocks.
Tsunami Advisory
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center briefly issued tsunami alerts for certain Caribbean regions, advising people near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to leave the sea and beaches.
Global Seismic Activity
In less than a day, other strong quakes occurred worldwide. Northern California experienced a 5.6 magnitude tremor, and a 6.9 magnitude quake shook off Japan’s coast shortly after Venezuela’s events. None reported widespread damage. Experts stated the quakes were unrelated.
Across Valencia, residents like Josefina Hernández encountered powerful shaking, causing instant power outages and creating difficulty driving as cars swayed.