Two significant earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, causing widespread damage in Caracas and other regions, according to officials and eyewitness reports. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 7.2-magnitude quake at 5:04 p.m., followed shortly by a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor. Both epicenters were located near Yamure, approximately 200 miles west of the capital.
Videos and images shared on social media and broadcast by state media showed residents evacuating buildings and gathering in the streets. Debris from collapsed and damaged structures littered the area, particularly in the eastern districts of Caracas, where officials described the impact as severe. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the hardest-hit neighborhoods included residential and commercial zones within these seismically vulnerable areas, which had experienced significant destruction during a 1967 earthquake.
Cabello urged citizens to stay vigilant and leave their homes if unsafe, emphasizing ongoing assessments of affected locations. As a safety precaution, natural-gas service was temporarily suspended in Caracas. “There are several problematic areas here,” Cabello said, describing the situation as “very alarming.”
Residents recounted their experiences amid the tremors. Francelin Machuca, 53, described being roused from sleep as the bed shook violently but said he hesitated to run and took shelter under a door frame. Others posted videos showing damage to infrastructure, including Wilmer Azuaje’s footage from an airport terminal where portions of the roof collapsed and walls cracked, obstructing check-in counters and baggage areas. In Puerto La Cruz, east of the capital, Jose Cordero reported feeling the earthquake’s movements for more than a minute and compared the sensation to being on turbulent seas.
The quakes struck Venezuela amid ongoing economic challenges that have prompted a mass exodus of nearly nine million citizens and caused widespread poverty and an oil sector collapse. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power in January after the U.S. military removed Nicolás Maduro, faces the immediate challenge of addressing the damage. Rodríguez has maintained Maduro’s authoritarian framework while fostering ties with the Trump administration.
Opposition figures also responded to the disaster. María Corina Machado, who fled the country last year, expressed her solidarity with those affected, calling for strength and unity during the crisis. As authorities continue damage assessments, relief and recovery efforts are expected to be complicated by the nation’s existing socio-economic difficulties.