Rescue operations continue in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday evening, leaving at least 920 people dead and thousands injured. The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, with epicenters approximately 100 miles west of the capital, Caracas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The coastal state of La Guaira, situated about 20 miles north of Caracas, has been identified as the hardest-hit area and declared a disaster zone by the Venezuelan government.

Officials report that the quakes have caused widespread destruction, damaging or destroying over 1,400 structures including at least eight hospitals. Several high-rise buildings in La Guaira collapsed, and the Simon Bolivar International Airport was forced to close due to infrastructural damage. Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez confirmed the number of injured had risen to nearly 3,000, while tens of thousands remain missing. Over 200 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial tremors, complicating rescue efforts.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez described the situation as a "true tragedy," declaring military control over La Guaira to assist with disaster management. Despite the large-scale devastation, critics have pointed to challenges in the government’s emergency response capacity. Some local residents and analysts have remarked on the limited availability of rescue equipment and inadequate coordination, noting the government’s struggle to mobilize resources effectively amid ongoing economic and political turmoil.

International support has rapidly mobilized to aid Venezuela’s relief efforts. The United States, responding to a request from the Venezuelan government, deployed military assets including an amphibious transport ship, a littoral combat ship, rotary-wing aircraft, and transport planes to assist with search, rescue, and aid delivery operations. The U.S. has pledged $150 million in humanitarian aid, coordinated through the United Nations and local agencies.

Several countries from Latin America and beyond have also dispatched aid and personnel. Mexico sent a contingent of 250 soldiers and 18 rescue dogs, while Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, and others have contributed rescue teams, medical staff, equipment, and logistical support. European Union officials emphasized solidarity with Venezuelans, with more than 520 personnel from eight member states already engaged in the response. The United Kingdom announced a £2 million contribution for relief efforts.

Humanitarian responders and local volunteers have been working around the clock to locate survivors trapped in rubble, while families continue to search for missing relatives, posting photos and names in hopes of reunification. Satellite imagery shows extensive damage to urban areas, underscoring the scale of the destruction. The USGS has issued a red alert and early models forecast that the death toll could rise significantly, possibly reaching tens of thousands, with economic losses potentially amounting to several percentage points of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.

The disaster has deepened the existing hardships faced by Venezuelans, who are contending with inflation, power outages, shortages of food and medicine, and political instability. As international aid flows into the country, authorities warn that ongoing aftershocks may hamper recovery and push casualty figures higher as assessments continue and access improves to the hardest-hit zones.