Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and sending panicked residents into the streets. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Caracas. The natural disaster immediately exposed the vulnerabilities of a nation already grappling with a protracted crisis that has seen millions of its people displaced, now facing a regime that offers no clear accounting of the human cost.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation late Wednesday, confirming damages in several states. However, Rodríguez provided no figures on the number of homes and buildings affected, nor on injuries or fatalities. She announced the severe damage and closure of the country’s main airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport, and the cancellation of classes for several days. Rodríguez urged the population to "remain calm" and called for "unity," asking all health care professionals to report to hospitals. The Ministry of Education later stated that some schools would be repurposed as shelters and donation centers.
In the coastal state of Falcon, Gov. Víctor Clark reported 32 hospitalizations and confirmed that 15 people remained trapped more than four hours after the earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the first earthquake at a magnitude of 7.1, later revising it to 7.2, with its epicenter west of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers (13.6 miles). An even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake followed just a minute later, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and its epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón. These quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in over a century, occurring shortly after 6 p.m.
Caracas residents described swaying buildings and witnessed entire walls collapse, exposing furniture from the street. Dust columns were visible in two capital neighborhoods typically bustling with businesses. People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset, some hugging their pets amidst the gathering dust. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles, and debris blocked streets, while parts of the capital experienced power outages and loss of cellphone signal. Caracas resident Hector Ricci recounted, "It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together." Roberto Gamas, another Caracas resident, stated, "The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong," adding, "We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out."
Regime's Information Blackout
Acting President Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, canceling subway and natural gas services in Caracas. She instructed Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app, a mechanism that further centralizes control over information flow. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the quake was felt in several states and noted "alarming situations" in Caracas's Altamira neighborhood, with collapsed homes and buildings. Cabello suggested people were injured and requested motorists yield to emergency vehicles. He stated, "We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most," while urging caution with children and the elderly and advising people to remain outside due to potential aftershocks.
The Cost of Managed Decline
The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela exacerbated the distress for many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis. This mass exodus, a profound demographic shift, means countless families are now unable to confirm the safety of their loved ones within the nation's borders. Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado, currently in exile after leaving Venezuela in December, took to X to send prayers and wish strength to Venezuelans, stating, "May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time." Her message from outside the country underscores the fractured political landscape and the absence of unified national leadership during a moment of crisis.
External Interests Mobilize
As the national regime struggled to provide basic information and coordinate relief, offers of help poured in swiftly on social media from various governments, including the United States, Chile, and El Salvador. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on X, "The US stands with the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of this evening’s devastating earthquakes," adding, "We’re in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance." El Salvador President Nayib Bukele offered aid on X, writing, "We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela." Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa expressed solidarity and ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, stating, "Ecuador will respond with the speed and commitment this moment demands because, despite our enormous differences, humanity must always guide the actions of a leader." These rapid responses from external actors highlight the perceived vacuum of effective national governance, potentially paving the way for increased foreign influence under the guise of humanitarian assistance. The quakes were also felt in Colombia’s Caribbean and northeast regions, and buildings in Manaus, Belem, and Macapá in Brazil’s Amazon were evacuated. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued and quickly lifted several tsunami alerts. Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela, which sits near multiple fault lines but is positioned differently from seismically active regions like Mexico and Chile along the Ring of Fire.