The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 25 has risen to 589, with 2,980 people injured, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Friday, June 26. Rodriguez announced the figures during a meeting broadcast by the teleSUR television channel, according to a Sputnik report. [1]
The earthquakes, which occurred 40 seconds apart, registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The second quake was the most powerful to hit Venezuela in more than a century, the BBC reported. [2]
The tremors centered near the coast, affecting major cities including Caracas and La Guaira. At least 30 aftershocks were recorded by Venezuelan seismological authorities, officials said. [3]
Quake Details and Aftershocks
The first earthquake, a magnitude 7.2, struck at a depth of about 8 miles, according to the USGS. One minute later, a magnitude 7.5 quake followed, collapsing buildings across the capital. [3] The second quake was the largest recorded in Venezuela since instrumental records began, the Epoch Times noted. [4]
Caracas has a history of devastating earthquakes. In 1812, a major quake destroyed much of the city, toppling churches and killing thousands, as described in the account of a Royalist witness. [5]
The current disaster unfolded on a national holiday, when many people were at home, according to the BBC. [2] Dozens of aftershocks continued to rattle the region, and authorities warned residents to remain vigilant.
Government Response and Rescue Operations
Rodriguez updated the casualty figures during a meeting of the National Emergency Committee, surrounded by government and military officials, NTD reported. [6] "We are going to rescue the people who are trapped," she said. "We are working tirelessly on this task." [6]
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in collapsed buildings, with emergency services deploying personnel and equipment to affected regions, according to the government. The government has mobilized military units to assist in relief and security, officials said.
The disaster struck a country already facing severe economic hardship, with chronic shortages of medicine and medical supplies. [7] Prior to the quake, Venezuela had experienced a decade of financial crisis, with hyperinflation and a collapse in public services. [8] Hospitals in the affected areas are now overwhelmed with the injured, according to local health officials. [9]
International Reaction and Aid
Several countries have offered assistance. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to prepare to aid Venezuela, stating "the United States is ready to help." [10] The United Nations said on Friday that the humanitarian system "is moving very fast and at scale" to respond, according to an NTD report. [6] Neighboring Colombia and Brazil have also offered support, diplomatic sources said.
U.S. military assets including warships, helicopters, and transport planes are shifting to the region to assist in relief efforts, ZeroHedge reported. [11] Rodriguez welcomed the arrival of rescue crews from around the world. [6] The international community continues to coordinate efforts as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
Ongoing Situation and Warnings
Aftershocks continue to pose risks, with authorities warning residents to stay away from damaged structures. The government declared a state of emergency in several states. The number of missing people is unknown, but independent monitoring platforms reported more than 50,000 missing overnight, according to ZeroHedge. [11]
The earthquake struck a region already tested by years of political turmoil and economic decline. Before the quake, 85 out of every 100 medications were unavailable, according to reports. [7]
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams reach more areas. The USGS estimated economic losses could reach 2% to 20% of Venezuela's GDP. [12]
Conclusion
The twin earthquakes have inflicted a devastating blow on a nation already in crisis. As rescue operations continue, the international community is mobilizing aid. The coming days will reveal the full scale of the human and economic toll.
References
- Sputnik. "Death Toll From Venezuela Earthquake Rises to 589, Another 2,980 Injured - Vice President". Sputnik Globe. June 26, 2026.
- BBC News. "LIVE: Powerful back-to-back earthquakes strike Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas". BBC. June 25, 2026.
- ZeroHedge. "Heavy Casualties After Massive Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela, Topple Buildings; International Response May Be Needed". ZeroHedge. June 25, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. "2 Powerful Earthquakes Rock Venezuela, at Least 32 Dead". The Epoch Times. June 25, 2026.
- Richard W. Slatta. "Simón Bolívar's Quest for Glory".
- NTD. "International Search and Rescue Efforts Underway in Venezuela as Death Toll Reaches 589". NTD. June 26, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Venezuela's desperate medicine shortage is having dire effects on its people". NaturalNews.com. March 8, 2017.
- NaturalNews.com. "First Venezuela now Argentina on the verge of financial catastrophe". NaturalNews.com. May 13, 2018.
- "RT staff caught in deadly Caracas earthquake". RT. June 25, 2026.
- Just the News. "Trump orders agencies to prepare to aid Venezuela after major earthquakes". Just the News. June 25, 2026.
- ZeroHedge. "Warships, Helicopters, Transport Planes: US Military Shifts Assets To Quake-Ravaged Venezuela". ZeroHedge. June 26, 2026.
- Modernity.news. "Trump Says US 'Ready To Help' After Twin Quakes Kill Up To 100K In Venezuela". Modernity.news. June 25, 2026.
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