Overview
- The twin earthquakes that struck on Wednesday, June 24, measured about 7.2 and 7.5 and caused the strongest tremors in Venezuela in more than a century, flattening large parts of La Guaira and damaging airports and ports.
- Acting president Delcy Rodríguez said the official death toll has risen to 2,595 with more than 12,000 injured and that search-and-rescue teams remain active even as operations increasingly shift to body recovery and humanitarian relief.
- A NASA and Oregon State University satellite assessment estimates roughly 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed, creating massive rubble that has slowed rescue work and left tens of thousands displaced.
- Civilians and volunteer brigades led early rescues and international teams helped free rare late survivors, but responders report shortages of heavy machinery, fuel and medical capacity that have hampered aid delivery.
- International donors, including a major U.S. aid pledge, have deployed resources under UN coordination, while the disaster has intensified political disputes over leadership, transparency and Venezuela’s long, multi‑billion‑dollar reconstruction needs.