LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes on June 24 has surpassed 1,400, with thousands more missing and millions affected by the disaster that struck the coastal region north of Caracas. The quakes, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction across La Guaira and parts of Caracas, leaving collapsed buildings, disrupted infrastructure, and a growing humanitarian crisis.
Authorities have reported at least 1,430 fatalities and over 3,200 injured, though independent sources suggest that more than 55,000 people remain unaccounted for amid communication blackouts and chaotic conditions. The scale of the disaster has been underscored by the United Nations’ estimate that up to 6.76 million people may require emergency aid, including shelter, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and protection services. Economic losses are estimated at $6.7 billion, roughly six percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
Rescue operations have faced significant challenges, including limited heavy machinery, damaged infrastructure, and traffic congestion. To ease the strain on emergency teams, authorities have restricted access to La Guaira, requiring official permits for entry. Despite these measures, many residents have taken search efforts into their own hands, digging through rubble to find missing relatives amid complaints of insufficient government support and rescue personnel.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed office early this year following the removal and capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, has pledged a “full response” to the crisis and welcomed international aid. The government has militarized La Guaira and facilitated the arrival of foreign rescue teams from at least 17 countries, with over 1,600 international rescuers reportedly on the ground. The United States has dispatched military aircraft, a naval ship, and humanitarian supplies to assist in relief efforts, and further funding is expected from the U.S. government in the coming days.
Local accounts highlight both moments of hope and deep anguish. Survivors were able to rescue an infant from collapsed debris more than 30 hours after the quakes, while many others recount the loss of entire families. Residents in harder-hit neighborhoods such as Caraballeda and Los Corales describe sleepless nights spent outdoors due to persistent aftershocks and damaged homes.
The response has been uneven, with some areas receiving heavy machinery and supplies sooner than others. Power outages, a longstanding issue in Venezuela’s weakened electrical grid, have sporadically affected the region but are gradually being restored.
The disaster has further complicated Venezuela’s ongoing political and economic turmoil. With the public expressing frustration over the slow pace and apparent inadequacy of government rescue efforts, the situation poses a significant challenge for Rodríguez’s administration. The international community, including the United Nations and the Pope, has called for continued solidarity and support for the victims.
As search and rescue efforts continue beyond 72 hours after the initial quakes—a critical window for saving lives—authorities and humanitarian groups emphasize the urgency of delivering more aid and resources to the hardest-hit populations. The full extent of the human and material toll remains uncertain as aftershocks persist and recovery operations advance.