According to the Venezuelan government, there are at least 2,927 affected families, 157 reported missing persons, 200 people trapped, 250 damaged buildings, and eight affected hospitals, some of which have had to be evacuated.
SANTO DOMINGO– The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday continues to rise. The latest report from authorities in the South American country indicates that 235 people have died and 4,300 have been injured, while more than 100 buildings have reportedly collapsed in La Guaira state, the area most affected by the natural disaster, according to the latest report issued yesterday, Thursday, June 25.
"Unfortunately, we have received around 235 patients who arrive without vital signs or die upon arrival at our health facilities," Health Minister Carlos Alvarado told state television.
For his part, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that more than 100 buildings collapsed in the coastal state of La Guaira (north, near Caracas) due to the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred after 6:00 p.m. last Wednesday and are considered one of the most powerful earthquakes in the country's history.
"It is estimated that there are more than 70,000 families; those of you who live in other places can get an idea of the scale of the impact of these earthquakes here in La Guaira," said the Interior Minister in a broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
Most affected sectors
He said the most affected areas are Caraballeda and Catia La Mar, while Maiquetía Airport, the country's main airport operating in Caracas, remains closed due to damage from the earthquakes.
Cabello announced a deployment of 11,500 security officials from various institutions, including the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Police, and the Army, to La Guaira this Friday to "guarantee peace and tranquility."
"As of this afternoon (Thursday), we had 4,200 security personnel deployed throughout the state. The president has instructed us to increase that number. Well, by tomorrow—they begin arriving today—we will have 11,500 men and women," he explained.
According to the latest official report, it is estimated that at least 346 buildings, including buildings, hospitals, and shopping centers, were affected.
There are at least 2,927 affected families, 157 reported missing persons, 200 people trapped, 250 damaged buildings and eight affected hospitals, some of which "have had to be evacuated," according to the Government.
Support from countries
Several countries have expressed their willingness to provide support to Venezuela.
The United States announced the dispatch of two warships, as well as transport planes and helicopters, to support that nation after the two earthquakes, the U.S. military reported Thursday.
In the case of the Dominican Republic, a specialized search and rescue team for collapsed structures (USAR) from the Specialized Corps for Mitigation of Emergencies and Disasters (Cemed) was sent to Venezuela on Thursday, as part of Operation Quisqueya Solidaria 2026, a humanitarian initiative created to provide support to the Venezuelan people after the devastating earthquake that affected that nation.
According to the Presidency, the decision was made after President Luis Abinader spoke with the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, to whom he expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims and with the entire Venezuelan people, reiterating the country's willingness to provide humanitarian assistance in this time of emergency.
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