The aftermath of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday continues to worsen. The latest reports indicate that 188 people have died, 1,520 have sustained injuries, 157 are missing, and 200 individuals remain trapped under debris, according to Thursday's confirmation from Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly.
These figures mark a significant increase from the early Thursday morning report by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, which cited 164 fatalities and 971 injuries.
Jorge Rodríguez also mentioned that the quakes have left 2,927 families homeless and damaged 250 buildings, with La Guaira being the hardest-hit area.
The disaster also affected eight hospitals and 20 shopping centers, and 137 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes.
Severe Earthquakes Strike Venezuelan Heartland
The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck on Wednesday at 6:04 PM local time, with only 39 seconds between them. The epicenters were located in the state of Yaracuy.
The United States Geological Survey has identified them as the most powerful earthquakes to hit Venezuela since 1900.
Rodríguez emphasized that the seismic events have caused "severe impacts in major areas of the country," prompting interim President Delcy Rodríguez to declare these regions as natural disaster zones.
La Guaira Suffers Unprecedented Destruction
La Guaira has borne the brunt of the devastation. Delcy Rodríguez characterized the situation as "a true tragedy," with numerous buildings collapsed and ongoing rescue operations.
The region is no stranger to disaster; it was devastated in 1999 by mudslides, known as the "Vargas Tragedy," which resulted in thousands of deaths, marking one of Venezuela's worst natural disasters.
In the capital's Chacao municipality, the 14-story Petunia residential building collapsed, resulting in 12 confirmed deaths, with two additional buildings also succumbing in the area.
Mayor Gustavo Duque stated that rescue efforts are ongoing as "it's believed there are still people alive" beneath the rubble.
The catastrophe has deeply affected the community. "I feel a lump in my throat every time I see that the building is gone. I used to pass by it daily on my way home. I almost don't recognize the place," said 35-year-old office worker Mauricio Contreras to AP.
Lack of Earthquake Preparedness and International Response
Venezuela lacks a seismic alert system. The Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research only records seismic activity post-occurrence. Some residents managed to evacuate thanks to preemptive notifications sent by Google to Android phones. "It gave us time to get out. We only started feeling it once we were already outside," writer Pericles Sánchez recounted to AP.
The United States Geological Survey issued a Red Alert—its highest level—and automatically projected that the final death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
International responses have included unexpected diplomatic gestures. Delcy Rodríguez publicly thanked President Donald Trump and his administration for their "support and solidarity," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate dispatch of search and rescue teams.
Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Qatar, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and the United Kingdom also offered assistance. Notably, Cuba, a longtime ally of the Chavista regime, was absent from the list of aiding countries.
"We're praying for my daughter and her children to be found," said Flor María González, whose daughter Dilinyer and her three grandchildren—aged 10, eight, and six—were trapped after their building collapsed in La Guaira, with no news of their fate as of Thursday.
Understanding the Impact of Venezuelan Earthquakes
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela?
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
Which area was most affected by the earthquakes?
La Guaira was the area hardest hit by the earthquakes.
How many aftershocks were recorded following the initial earthquakes?
There were 137 aftershocks recorded after the initial seismic events.