Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela

Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings and sending residents into the streets in panic. The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2, followed by a 7.5 magnitude quake shortly after, affecting areas up to 1,050 miles away in Brazil’s Amazon.

In a public address, acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed damage across several states, though she did not provide specifics on affected homes or fatalities. Rodríguez announced the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport due to severe damage. Classes have been suspended for several days.

Rodríguez implored citizens to remain calm and called for unity. Additionally, healthcare professionals across the country have been requested to report to hospitals to assist the injured. The Ministry of Education declared that some schools will serve as shelters and donation centers.

“We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez said. “We urge unity.”

Reports indicate that in the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Víctor Clark stated that 32 people had been hospitalized, and 15 remained trapped hours after the tremors.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the first earthquake’s epicenter west of Morón along the Caribbean coast, about 104 miles from Caracas, at a depth of about 14 miles. The subsequent 7.5 magnitude quake had a depth of approximately six miles, occurring just southwest of Morón.

These quakes are the most powerful to hit Venezuela in over a century. The seismic activity began shortly after 6 p.m., prompting evacuations from swaying buildings in Caracas. Witnesses described seeing walls collapse, leaving furniture visible from the street, and dust clouds rose in affected neighborhoods.

Residents remained outdoors for hours after the earthquakes, some sitting on the ground holding their pets as dust gathered around them. The aftermath included collapsed structures, toppled electric poles, and blocked streets; parts of Caracas lost power and cellphone signal.

Caracas resident Hector Ricci described the experience:

“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” he said.

Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, halting subway and natural gas services in Caracas. Venezuelans were encouraged to report damage via a government app, though the lack of cellphone signal exacerbated distress, especially among the vast number of Venezuelans who have migrated due to the country’s prolonged political crisis.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado conveyed her support from exile, expressing wishes of strength and unity:

“May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,” she wrote.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the earthquake’s wide-reaching impact, noting alarming damage in Caracas’ Altamira neighborhood. He stressed the importance of clearing roads for emergency vehicles.

“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,” Cabello said on state television.

Residents spoke of intense shaking:

“The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Gamas remarked. “We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”

Governments worldwide responded on social media with offers of assistance, including the United States, Chile, and El Salvador. Notable responses from leaders include:

• U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated, “The US stands with the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of this evening’s devastating earthquakes. We’re in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance.”
• El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, previously opposed to Venezuela’s government, offered aid and expressed solidarity.
• Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced immediate humanitarian aid, stressing humanity amidst political differences.

The earthquakes impacted the region far beyond Venezuela. Buildings in Brazil’s Amazon cities were evacuated, and areas in Colombia’s Caribbean and northeast felt the tremors, though no damage was reported.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued several tsunami alerts following the earthquakes, lifted shortly after.

Although Venezuela lies near multiple fault lines, its geographic positioning near the South American and Caribbean plates generally results in fewer earthquakes compared to other Latin American regions, such as Mexico and Chile, along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” responsible for 90% of earthquakes, according to the USGS.

Contributing to the report were AP writers Clara Preve, Astrid Suarez, Mauricio Savarese, and Anna-Catherine Brigada.