The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has reached 2,295, as interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning for the victims. This announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a week since the devastating natural disaster struck the country, leaving tens of thousands unaccounted for.
Impact of the Earthquakes in Venezuela
On June 29, 2026, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 caused widespread destruction across oil-rich Venezuela. The hardest-hit city, La Guaira, located just north of Caracas, saw most of its buildings marked with the letter 'D', indicating they had been searched and showed no signs of life. As rescue operations continue, the hope of finding survivors has dwindled.
According to Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, the number of injured has surpassed 11,000, while nearly 13,000 people have been left homeless. The United Nations estimates that around 50,000 individuals are still missing.
Humanitarian Crisis Following the Quakes
With the country already facing an economic crisis, the aftermath of the earthquakes has intensified the struggle for basic necessities. Reports indicate that many survivors are running low on food and water, with local vendors describing chaotic scenes as people fight for limited supplies. Daniela Armas, an 18-year-old vendor, noted, "They give out supplies here, but sometimes people nearly kill each other for food... It's like a cockfight."
