Venezuelan journalist and cyber activist Luis Carlos Díaz has openly blamed the Chavismo government for the humanitarian breakdown that has hampered the response to the catastrophic earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on June 24. These quakes were the strongest ever recorded in the nation's history.
In a series of reflective posts on Facebook, Díaz asserted, "We are now paying the price for Jorge Rodríguez, the National Assembly, and the broader Chavismo movement's persecution of humanitarian organizations following the 2024 'Citgo Report.' This resulted in the dismantling of several NGOs and the forced exile of many of their leaders and employees."
The Impact of the "Citgo Report"
The "Citgo Report," delivered by the Chavista-controlled National Assembly to Prosecutor Tarek William Saab in October 2024, accused various NGOs of receiving funds from foundations allegedly linked to the Citgo scandal. This led to the closure of these organizations and the exile of specialized technicians who are now desperately needed on the ground.
Additionally, the 2024 NGO Oversight Law has left countless social organizations in a state of limbo, according to Díaz. "They are unable to maintain valid registration due to deliberate bureaucratic and political discrimination," he explained.
Humanitarian Workers Targeted
Díaz further accused the Chavismo regime of imprisoning foreign humanitarian workers and subjecting them to torture at Rodeo I prison as a means of extorting countries like Italy and Colombia. The case of Colombian worker Manuel Tique, from the Danish Refugee Council, who was detained in September 2025 and held in this prison, exemplifies this disturbing pattern.
Red Cross Intervention and International Concerns
Another severe blow to the humanitarian system was the judicial intervention of the Venezuelan Red Cross by the Supreme Court in August 2023, which removed its legitimate president and replaced them with a regime-aligned board. This move was condemned by 242 organizations and severely tarnished the institution's international reputation.
Díaz also noted that some UN offices had to employ former PSUV officials to "facilitate communication with authorities," a decision that compromised their independence and effectively turned these spaces into bureaucratic extensions of the Chavismo regime.
Challenges for International Aid
With aggressive fiscal oversight directed at NGOs by the banking system and Seniat, international aid faces numerous obstacles. Despite these challenges, over 1,600 rescuers from 16 countries are striving to operate in a hostile environment, and the United States has approved $150 million in aid.
The journalist highlighted that the earthquakes struck regions already enduring a complex humanitarian crisis. Millions are attempting to assist, and the international community is eager to help, but theft of supplies remains a significant issue.
"Meanwhile, allies of the Rodríguez brothers are trying to exploit this tragedy to cement their authoritarian rule and remain in power indefinitely," Díaz emphasized.
For Díaz, the regime's intentions are clear: "The dictatorship's narrative, along with that of its allies, often invokes neutrality and de-politicization to suppress any effort to democratize the country and crush dissent under the guise of humanitarian disaster."
He concluded, "Chavismo continues to enforce censorship and hinder the efforts of those who wish to help. Anything that doesn't serve their grip on power is not permitted."
The official death toll from the tragedy currently stands at 920, with 3,360 injured, according to Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly. The UN estimates that up to 50,000 people could be missing, and 6.76 million have been affected.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has estimated a 42% probability that the eventual death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster and the fragility of Venezuela's infrastructure.
Prior to the earthquakes, the UN was already providing assistance to around eight million Venezuelans, and 7.9 million had fled the country since 2015. This catastrophe now compounds an ongoing emergency that Chavismo has failed to address.
Key Questions About Venezuela's Earthquake Crisis
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela?
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them the strongest in the country's recorded history.
How has the Chavismo regime affected the humanitarian response?
The Chavismo regime's policies and actions, such as the "Citgo Report" and the 2024 NGO Oversight Law, have dismantled critical humanitarian organizations, leading to a weakened response capability in the face of natural disasters.