The family of Vanessa Martínez, a young Cuban girl from Melena del Sur in Mayabeque province, has confirmed to Martí Noticias that her body was discovered lifeless in Venezuela. This tragic revelation comes three days after devastating earthquakes struck the nation.
The body of Vanessa's cousin was also found, according to the relatives. Both had been missing since the June 24th earthquakes that destroyed over 100 buildings in La Guaira state, where they resided.
The two young girls lived with their father in the Coral Beach building in Los Corales, La Guaira—one of the areas hardest hit by structural collapses. Their father, a Cuban doctor, remained in Venezuela after completing a mission there, while their mother resides in Cuba.
As the Melena del Sur community mourns the loss of Vanessa and her cousin, the search for Dayan Martínez—Vanessa's brother—remains ongoing. The boy is still missing beneath the rubble, and his family holds onto hope of finding him alive.
Journalist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez reported on the discovery, stating, "The town of Melena del Sur mourns Vanessa today and prays for the safe return of her brother, who remains missing under the debris."
The disappearance of the Cuban children after the earthquakes was initially reported by journalist Daniel Benítez on June 26th, who noted they were last seen in the building and urgently requested any available information.
The earthquakes on June 24th, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and occurring just 39 seconds apart, had their epicenter in Yaracuy state. The U.S. Geological Survey identified these quakes as the most powerful to hit Venezuela since 1900. Official reports count 1,430 fatalities and over 3,360 injuries, while unofficial United Nations estimates suggest up to 50,000 people are missing nationwide.
A 4.8 magnitude aftershock rattled Venezuela again this Saturday, keeping families anxious as they continue to search for loved ones amidst the ruins.
At least 32 Cubans were reported missing in Venezuela, according to citizen platforms like Encuéntralos and elToque's monitoring, with a focus on Caraballeda, Catia La Mar, and Los Corales. However, the Cuban government has stated no confirmed reports of Cuban nationals being affected by the earthquakes.
Ana Teresita González Fraga, the Director General of Consular Affairs at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared on Saturday, "We have no official confirmation of injured, deceased, or missing nationals at this time," despite family reports of casualties.
This stance has drawn criticism for conflicting with citizen data and continuing the regime's historical pattern of opacity in responding to tragedies affecting Cubans abroad.
FAQs on Cuban Nationals Affected by Venezuelan Earthquakes
What is the status of the Cuban children missing after the Venezuelan earthquakes?
Vanessa Martínez and her cousin have been confirmed dead, while the search for Vanessa's brother, Dayan Martínez, continues as he remains missing under the debris.
How many Cubans are reported missing in Venezuela following the earthquakes?
At least 32 Cubans have been reported missing according to citizen platforms, although the Cuban government has not confirmed any affected nationals.
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24th?
The earthquakes were of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart, with their epicenter in the state of Yaracuy.