The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela during a national holiday has reached 1,430, with more than 3,200 injured and over 3,100 families displaced into emergency shelters. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit less than a minute apart, flattening apartment blocks and critical infrastructure, especially in the coastal state of La Guaira. Satellite images show widespread destruction, including damage to Simón Bolívar International Airport, where cracks appeared on the runway and parts of the terminal collapsed, disrupting commercial flights though humanitarian landings continue.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said rescuing those trapped under rubble remains the government's top priority, with about 14,000 military and police personnel deployed to support operations. Electricity has been restored to approximately 60 per cent of La Guaira, and additional heavy equipment has been moved into the disaster zone. Rescue teams, including at least 20 international urban search-and-rescue units from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and Colombia, are working alongside local responders, bringing rescue dogs, medical staff, and specialised gear.
Senior lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez called the disaster "the most disastrous event this republic has suffered in the last 123 years," noting 3,238 injured and over 430 aftershocks recorded since the initial tremors. Experts, including Josh Macabuag of UK-based SARAID, warn survival chances diminish with each passing hour, though rare cases of rescue beyond 100 hours offer limited hope. Families of the missing, like that of 31-year-old Carlos Eduardo, continue to hold on, reporting faint sounds from beneath the debris despite suspended excavations.
Jorge Rodríguez calls the earthquake the worst in 123 years while confirming only 3,100 displaced families and 60 per cent power restored in one state, raising questions about the scale of national response. The government highlights military deployment and foreign rescue teams but has not detailed how aid is being distributed to thousands in shelters. With over 430 aftershocks and damaged airport operations, the ability to sustain relief efforts remains unproven. The gap between the disaster's declared severity and the visible recovery progress leaves many Venezuelans waiting without clear support.
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