Acting President Delcy Rodríguez reported on Thursday morning that at least 164 people have died and 971 have been injured. The earthquakes, originating near Morón, were so strong that they were felt throughout the region, triggering evacuations even in the Brazilian Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers from Caracas.
The northern state of La Guaira has been declared a "disaster zone" and is one of the hardest-hit areas due to the massive collapse of dozens of buildings. Amid the tragedy, state broadcaster VTV showed images of the rescue of three children who were pulled alive from the rubble. Given the gravity of the situation, the government has mobilized heavy machinery and rescue teams from other parts of the country to the coast, trying to take advantage of daylight hours to locate those still trapped. Outside La Guaira hospitals, dozens of people have been seen receiving medical attention in makeshift outdoor beds.
In the capital, Caracas, panic gripped residents as they watched the walls of their homes crumble. Due to structural damage and the lack of basic services such as electricity and natural gas, hundreds of citizens spent the night in squares and vehicles. Simon Bolivar International Airport remains closed after suffering damage to its infrastructure and cracks in its runways, making it difficult for aircraft carrying supplies to land.
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced the creation of a $200 million fund for the reconstruction of hospitals and homes. The international community has responded swiftly; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed immediate deployment of humanitarian aid and search teams after speaking with the president. Rescue personnel from Qatar, Mexico, and El Salvador are already in Venezuelan territory assisting in emergency efforts.