Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, leading to significant damage and widespread panic. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a state of emergency, emphasizing the need for calm and unity among Venezuelans. The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred shortly after 6 p.m., affecting multiple states and prompting evacuations in cities across the region.
The earthquakes are among the most severe in Venezuela’s recent history. Their impact was felt as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, around 1,700 kilometers from Caracas. Rodríguez reported that Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was damaged and closed. Public services like subway and natural gas were halted temporarily in the capital. The Ministry of Education canceled school classes for several days, converting some school buildings into shelters and donation centers.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially registered the first quake at magnitude 7.1, revising it to 7.2 later. Its epicenter was located near Morón on the Caribbean coast, approximately 168 kilometers west of Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers. The second quake followed with a 7.5 magnitude and a depth of 10 kilometers, centered 16 kilometers southwest of Morón.
In the coastal state of Falcon, authorities reported 32 hospitalizations and 15 people trapped. Various international governments, including the United States, Argentina, and Brazil, offered assistance. Jeremy P. Lewin of the U.S. State Department noted the mobilization of a disaster assistance team and coordination of aid efforts.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and leaders from Ecuador and Bolivia expressed their support and readiness to assist Venezuela. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio da Silva’s administration also offered solidarity.
Venezuelans experienced significant distress as buildings swayed and some collapsed. Parts of Caracas lost power and cellphone signals, complicating communication for many families. Residents like Hector Ricci described feeling intense fear, while others witnessed physical damage including debris and toppled electric poles.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported the earthquakes were felt in multiple states, urging people to stay outside due to potential aftershocks. Damage included collapsed homes and buildings, with emergency protocols activated to provide aid and rescue assistance.
Though the earthquakes were unusual for Venezuela, which lies near fault lines, their occurrence underscored the region’s seismic vulnerability. Tsunami alerts were initially issued but later lifted. The Pacific coast of Latin America frequently experiences earthquakes due to its position along the Ring of Fire tectonic belt.