Venezuela declared a state of emergency after two strong earthquakes struck in quick succession, leaving many people missing and collapsing buildings in Caracas and other areas. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez urged the public to stay calm and united, told residents to leave damaged buildings, and called on all medical workers to report immediately and help treat the injured.
Rodriguez also sent condolences to those who lost relatives. At this stage, authorities say they do not yet have a clear death toll, although two bodies have reportedly been recovered in the Caracas area. Video and photos from the capital showed rescue teams searching through rubble after multiple structures collapsed. The international airport in Caracas was closed after suffering what officials described as severe damage, and train service was also suspended.
According to reports cited by The New York Times, the first quake measured 7.2 and, less than a minute later, a second quake hit at 7.5. The second was the strongest to affect Venezuela since 1900. Its epicenter was near the city of San Felipe, about 22,000 residents, west of Caracas. A seismology expert at the U.S. seismic center described the earthquakes as "destructive."
The disaster hit as Venezuela is already in a severe political and economic crisis, linked in the article to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by the United States and the American takeover of the local oil industry. Aid offers began arriving quickly. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would provide immediate assistance and ordered federal agencies to prepare to act fast. El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, said 300 rescue workers were ready to deploy with equipment, medicine, and supplies, and the Dominican Republic said specialized search-and-rescue medical teams would arrive later that day.
