A message of solidarity was shared with the Venezuelan people following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck the nation. This message was posted on Thursday on the official account of Nicolás Maduro, who remains imprisoned in a federal facility in New York.
The statement, released on his social media accounts and dated from New York, marks the fourth public message the former leader has issued since his incarceration on January 3, 2026, after being apprehended in Caracas by U.S. special forces and transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
The Heartfelt Message from Maduro
The message, addressed to the "beloved people of Venezuela," begins with a heartfelt invocation alongside his wife Cilia Flores, who is also detained and facing charges in the same case:
"Beloved people of Venezuela: in the face of the powerful earthquake that has struck our homeland, Cilia and I raise our prayers for every affected family, for the injured, for those who suffer, and for all our people. Today, the word is one: maximum unity, maximum solidarity, and maximum action."
Maduro urged that no Venezuelan should be left alone in the wake of the disaster:
"Let no one be left alone, let every community care for its children, its elderly, its sick, and let us all support the efforts of rescue teams, the National Police, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, civil protection, doctors, firefighters, workers, and volunteers."
In the central part of his message, the former president called for unity as a collective response to the tragedy:
"In this difficult hour, we call for national unity, serenity, and concrete love: to help, to protect, to share, to lift, and to rebuild. Venezuela has faced great challenges and we will emerge from this as well, with faith, discipline, and solidarity."
The message concluded with a religious invocation: "Our hearts and prayers are with you. May God bless and protect Venezuela!"
Public Reaction and Controversy
The comments section of the post revealed a wide range of opinions: from those who felt comforted by Maduro's words to others who claimed that Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the imprisoned former leader's son, is managing the social media account.
The Earthquake's Devastation
The motivation for this message was the two earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude—that struck on Wednesday, separated by just 39 seconds, with epicenters in the state of Yaracuy.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the stronger quake was the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900, with a depth of only 10 kilometers, which significantly amplified its impact.
The state of La Guaira was declared a "disaster zone" by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who described the situation starkly:
"The State of La Guaira is a true tragedy. There are dozens of collapsed buildings, and we are currently engaged in very strenuous rescue operations to save the lives that God allows us to save."
In Caracas, buildings collapsed in the neighborhoods of Los Palos Grandes, Altamira, and Chacao, including the 14-story Petunia residential building and at least one 22-story tower in Altamira.
The Maiquetía International Airport, the Caracas Metro, and the Tuy Valley Railway remain closed due to structural damage.
The tremors were felt even in Brazil's Amazon region, approximately 1,700 kilometers from Caracas.
Global Response and Cuba's Silence
The international community responded swiftly. Rodríguez publicly thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration announced the deployment of search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.
Support was also confirmed from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Qatar, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico. Notably, Cuba—a historical ally of chavismo—was absent from the list of countries acknowledged by Rodríguez for their international solidarity, according to the official assessment of the catastrophe.
The USGS issued its Red Alert—the highest level—and estimated a 42% probability that the final death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people, although these are automatic probabilistic projections, not actual counts.
Venezuelan authorities warned that the number of victims could continue to rise as rescue efforts proceed. As of the close of this report, there are at least 164 dead and 971 injured, with searches ongoing for individuals trapped under the debris.
Understanding the Earthquake in Venezuela
What was the magnitude of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude.
Where was the epicenter of the earthquakes?
The epicenters were located in the state of Yaracuy, Venezuela.
What was the response from the international community?
Countries like the United States, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and several others provided support, including search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
Did Cuba offer any help following the earthquakes?
Cuba was not mentioned among the countries that offered support, which is notable given its historical alliance with Venezuela.