Overview
- Two strong earthquakes struck on June 24, measured by the USGS at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, triggering widespread shaking across Caracas and nearby coastal states.
- Acting president Delcy Rodríguez announced a national state of emergency, ordered intensive search-and-rescue operations, and tasked the Foreign Ministry with coordinating incoming aid.
- Official tallies report at least 32 people dead and about 700 injured but those figures exclude La Guaira, which Rodríguez identified as the hardest-hit area and could push casualties higher.
- The main international airport serving Caracas was closed and urban systems such as metro and gas were disrupted, complicating immediate relief and rescue logistics.
- The United States and other countries have offered help, with U.S. officials saying search-and-rescue teams and medical resources are being deployed as crews from abroad prepare to join local operations.