CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage, collapsing buildings, and sending citizens into a state of panic across the South American country. The earthquakes, which registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred shortly after 6 p.m., prompting Acting President Delcy Rodríguez to declare a state of emergency in a late-night address to the nation.
Rodríguez reported that the tremors caused destruction across several states, although she did not provide specific figures regarding fatalities, injuries, or the number of structures affected. These earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century and have had a far-reaching impact, with some regions affected as far away as Brazil's Amazon, approximately 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Caracas.
The Simón Bolívar International Airport, the main airport near Caracas, sustained damage and was subsequently closed. Transportation services, including subway and natural gas, in the capital were suspended. Rodríguez urged Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app and announced that school classes would be canceled for several days, with some school buildings designated as shelters and donation centers.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the initial earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, which was later revised to 7.2. Its epicenter was located west of Morón on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers (13.6 miles). Just one minute later, a second earthquake measuring 7.5 struck, with its epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón and a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
In the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Víctor Clark reported that 32 individuals had been hospitalized, with 15 people trapped in the aftermath of the earthquakes. Various countries, including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay, extended offers of assistance to Venezuela. Jeremy P. Lewin, the U.S. undersecretary of state for foreign assistance, mentioned that the State Department mobilized a disaster assistance team ready to coordinate aid, which included search-and-rescue teams and medical supplies.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, once opposed to the Venezuelan government, offered solidarity and aid through a post. He stated, "We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela." Similarly, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa assured that humanitarian aid would be provided swiftly, emphasizing the importance of humanity in leadership actions.
During the earthquakes, frightened residents evacuated buildings in Caracas, many visibly shaken by the unfolding chaos. Dust clouds filled streets where collapsed walls exposed furniture within. Power outages further complicated the situation, and many were left unable to contact family members, particularly those among the over 7.7 million people who have fled Venezuela amid its ongoing crisis.
Venezuela's opposition leader María Corina Machado, who has been in exile since December, took to social media to express her support for the Venezuelan people, wishing them strength during these trying times. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that the quakes were felt across multiple states and urged motorists to yield to emergency vehicles. He provided updates on the situation, stating that some buildings had collapsed and confirmed the likelihood of injuries.
Reports indicated that buildings in Brazil's cities of Manaus, Belem, and Macapá were also evacuated due to the seismic activity. Moreover, the earthquakes were felt in Colombia's Caribbean and northeastern regions; however, no damage or injuries were reported there. Following the earthquakes, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued several tsunami alerts that were shortly lifted.
Although Venezuela is located near multiple fault lines, significant earthquakes are rare, largely due to its geographic positioning between the South American and Caribbean plates. Typically, seismic activity is more common along the Pacific coast in regions like Mexico and Chile, known for being part of the Ring of Fire, which accounts for the vast majority of global earthquakes.
