Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Two major quakes struck central Venezuela seconds apart, one with a magnitude 7.2 and the other with a magnitude 7.5
- At least 32 are dead, with 700 injuries, acting President Rodriguez has said
- Venezuela’s president has declared a state of emergency
- Extensive damage reported in the capital of Caracas and the nearby state of La Guaira
Follow along for the latest news out of Venezuela on Wednesday and Thursday:
Skip next section At least 32 deaths, 700 injured in earthquakes, Rodriguez saysPublished 06/25/2026Published June 25, 2026last updated 06/25/2026last updated June 25, 2026
At least 32 deaths, 700 injured in earthquakes, Rodriguez says
The back-to-back earthquakes which have rocked Venezuela on Wednesday have killed at least 32 people, interim President Delcy Rodriguez has said.
Over 700 others were injured, she added.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save. The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone,” she said.
Rodriguez said she did not yet have data on La Guaira, located near the capital.
The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1cCSkip next section Latin American countries offer help to Venezuela06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Latin American countries offer help to Venezuela
Latin American countries stepped up to offer help to Venezuela following the two major quakes that struck the nation on Wednesday.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted on X that “300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines, and essential supplies, are ready to depart for Caracas.”
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said he has spoken to Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez to offer their “deepest solidarity.”
Abinader said “specialized teams for search, rescue, and emergency care from our Armed Forces will depart for Venezuela” early on Thursday.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also posted on X saying he has instructed the Brazilian Embassy in Caracas to assess the situation in Venezuela and help.
Several other countries also expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1YgSkip next section Trump says US ‘stands ready’ to help Venezuela06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Trump says US ‘stands ready’ to help Venezuela
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States was prepared to provide assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the South American nation.
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
“The USA stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!”
Venezuela has not released the number of casualties or extent of the destruction.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1XmSkip next section Venezuela’s 7.2 quake was foreshock to more powerful 7.5 earthquake, says USGS 06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Venezuela’s 7.2 quake was foreshock to more powerful 7.5 earthquake, says USGS
Rana Taha Editor
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck central Venezuela on Wednesday just 39 seconds ahead of a second more powerful quake was a foreshock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Foreshocks are earthquakes that precede larger earthquakes in the same location. However, an earthquake cannot be identified as a foreshock until after a larger earthquake in the same area occurs, according to the USGS.
On Wednesday, Venezuela was hit by back-to-back powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, causing extensive damage in the capital, Caracas.
According to the USGS, the second quake was the mainshock of a severe seismic doublet sequence.
A seismic doublet is defined as two earthquakes of similar magnitude that occur close in time and proximity, the USGS said.
In September 2025, the country experienced a seismic doublet when magnitude 6.2 and 6.3 earthquakes shook western and northern Venezuela.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1XMSkip next section US is sending assistance to Venezuela, officials say06/25/2026June 25, 2026
US is sending assistance to Venezuela, officials say
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced that the US was in touch with Venezuelan authorities following two massive earthquakes in the South American country.
“The US stands with the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of this evening’s devastating earthquakes,” Landau wrote on X.
He said that Washington was mobilizing assistance for Venezuela.
US Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said the US had already deployed a disaster assistance team and was coordinating critical assistance for people affected by the earthquakes.
“The US will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster,” he wrote on X.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1M6Skip next section Venezuela’s president declares state of emergency, confirms fatalities06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Venezuela’s president declares state of emergency, confirms fatalities
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency after massive earthquakes destroyed buildings in Caracas.
Accompanied by her brother Jorge, who is the head of the National Assembly, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, Rodriguez said that she was extending her condolences to the families of those who “sadly suffered the loss of a family member.”
She did not provide a death toll or a figure for those injured.
Rodriguez explained that rescue efforts are now the top priority, adding that school classes would be suspended and train services would be halted.
She said that the Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, is closed due to damage.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1HjSkip next section US Embassy issues safety alert to citizens06/25/2026June 25, 2026
US Embassy issues safety alert to citizens
The United States Embassy in Caracas said it was “closely monitoring” the situation after two powerful quakes hit central Venezuela on Wednesday.
The US Embassy urged American citizens in a post on X to “avoid damaged areas and do not enter damaged buildings” and “seek secure shelter.”
The embassy also asked people to monitor both the US State Department website and local media websites.
The two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 destroyed buildings in Caracas and drove people into the streets.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1HaSkip next section Tsunami warning for nearby islands withdrawn06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Tsunami warning for nearby islands withdrawn
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands as the quakes struck.
It said hazardous waves could affect Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire as well.
However, the warning was withdrawn about an hour later.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1HDSkip next section Twin quakes bring back memories of deadly 1967 quake06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Twin quakes bring back memories of deadly 1967 quake
“This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967,” Maria Romero, an 80-year-old pensioner from southern Caracas, told Reuters, after two quakes struck the center of the country on Wednesday.
In 1967, Caracas was struck by a devastating magnitude 6.3 earthquake, which left more than 1,500 people injured and between 225 and 300 people dead.
Even deadlier earthquakes struck Venezuela in the 19th century. According to the USGS, an estimated 30,000 people were killed by a powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction in Merida and Caracas in 1812.
Venezuela is located in an area of seismic activity where the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate meet.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1GoSkip next section IN PICTURES: Successive earthquakes cause havoc in Caracas06/25/2026June 25, 2026
IN PICTURES: Successive earthquakes cause havoc in Caracas
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FiSkip next section Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez to address nation06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez to address nation
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said she will address the nation soon.
Rodriguez said in a post on X that she will report on the situation following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes that hit the country on Wednesday.
The quakes are among the strongest seismic events globally so far this year, according to US Geological Survey (USGS).
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1GnSkip next section Interior minister urges Venezuelans to remain outside06/25/2026June 25, 2026
Interior minister urges Venezuelans to remain outside
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the situation in the country following the earthquakes as “extremely alarming.” He said that some buildings had collapsed and urged residents to take shelter.
Cabello urged people to stay outside, warning that aftershocks were likely to occur and could cause additional structural damage to already weakened buildings. As a precaution to prevent explosions, officials also ordered gas supplies to be shut off.
“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. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”
He also suggested people were injured in the earthquake and asked motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FcSkip next section ‘High casualties’ likely in Venezuela, USGS says06/25/2026June 25, 2026
‘High casualties’ likely in Venezuela, USGS says
Strong earthquakes brought buildings down in Caracas.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The USGS said, based on data from the types of structures common in the area, that there was a 44% chance that fatalities will exceed 10,000.
Venezuelan authorities did not immediately provide estimates of deaths or injuries.
On state television, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that some buildings had been brought down and houses had collapsed in Caracas.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FQSkip next section What we know so far about the quakes in Venezuela06/25/2026June 25, 2026
What we know so far about the quakes in Venezuela
Dmytro Hubenko | Roshni Majumdar Editor
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Venezuela on Wednesday evening, swaying buildings and homes in the capital of Caracas.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located about 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the community of Moron, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 104 miles from Caracas.
The quake had a depth of 13 kilometers.
A second, even larger earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude hit the same area just 39 seconds after the first quake.
The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers.
Follow along.
https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FPShow more posts
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