Nearly a week after the catastrophic twin earthquakes rocked Venezuela, the political group Vente Venezuela has reported that around 63,000 buildings across the nation have been impacted. This figure exceeds initial satellite estimates, highlighting the true extent of the disaster on the ground.
Speaking from Bejucal on Tuesday, Henry Alviarez, the organizational coordinator of the opposition party, shared these findings. The earthquakes, which struck on June 24, 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and just 39 seconds apart, devastated the states of Yaracuy and Carabobo, leaving widespread destruction throughout the country.
"As of today, approximately 63,000 buildings have been affected nationwide, with 434 completely collapsed. We have 750 buildings suffering severe structural damage and about 20,000 with moderate structural issues," detailed Alviarez.
Regional Impact and Comparisons
The state of La Guaira bears the brunt of the damage, with 30,000 buildings affected. This is followed by the Capital District with 8,041, Carabobo with 7,289, Miranda with 7,063, Aragua with 4,461, Yaracuy with 1,315, Cojedes with 564, Guárico with 135, and Falcón with 75.
These numbers surpass the preliminary satellite estimates made by NASA and Copernicus, which suggested around 58,870 buildings might have been damaged or destroyed based on Sentinel-1 satellite imagery. However, those figures were noted as unverified on the ground.
Urgent Needs and Safety Concerns
Alviarez urgently called on security forces to expedite technical inspections of homes. "Families need assurance and safety to know if they can return to their homes without risk," he emphasized.
The situation in shelters, especially in La Guaira, declared a disaster zone and the hardest-hit region, remains dire. "The primary demands in affected areas are for food, and in Vargas state, there is an urgent need for potable water and water trucks for sanitation, particularly in shelters," warned the opposition leader.
Regarding medical care, Alviarez acknowledged that the three operational field hospitals are inadequate: "We believe it's not enough, but at least they need to be supported to have what they need." He stressed the importance of properly labeled medication donations and prioritized trauma supplies.
Community Efforts and Health Risks
Alviarez also urged the formation of citizen brigades to locate and report bodies found under rubble, ensuring this information is passed to authorities to prevent potential health crises.
In La Pastora, Vente Venezuela recorded the collapse of a house damaged in the quake that fell due to rain on Monday night. Fortunately, previous inspections by disaster and infrastructure experts led to timely evacuations, preventing any loss of life.
The official death toll reached 1,943 by Tuesday, with 10,571 injured, according to figures released by Jorge Rodríguez. The June 24 earthquakes are the strongest seismic event recorded in Venezuela since 1900, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
Alviarez concluded with a message of resilience, echoing the sentiments of opposition leader María Corina: "As María Corina rightly says, we will overcome this."
Key Information on Venezuela's Earthquake Crisis
How many buildings were damaged in the Venezuelan earthquakes?
Around 63,000 buildings were reported damaged by Vente Venezuela, exceeding initial satellite estimates.
Which area was the most affected by the earthquakes?
La Guaira was the hardest hit, with 30,000 buildings reported damaged.
What are the urgent needs in the disaster-affected areas?
The primary needs include food, potable water, and water trucks for sanitation in shelters.