On Wednesday evening, Venezuela experienced a series of powerful earthquakes off its coast, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. These tremors resulted in significant damage, collapsing buildings, and leading to mass evacuations as panicked residents fled to the streets.
The earthquakes impacted a broad region, with effects noted as far away as Brazil's Amazon, approximately 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from the epicenter located near Morón along the Caribbean coast. The first earthquake was initially reported at a magnitude of 7.1 by the U.S. Geological Survey but was later revised to 7.2, occurring at a depth of 22 kilometers. Just a minute later, the stronger 7.5 magnitude quake struck, with a depth of 10 kilometers and an epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón.
In a late-night address, acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed widespread damages across several states but did not provide specific figures related to injuries or fatalities. She reported the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport due to substantial damage and announced the cancellation of classes for several days. “We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez emphasized, stressing the importance of unity.
Rodríguez called upon all health care professionals to report to hospitals to assist the injured. Reports from Falcon state indicated that 32 people had been hospitalized, and over four hours post-quake, there were still 15 individuals believed to be trapped under debris.
Witnesses in Caracas described a frightening experience, where buildings swayed and walls collapsed, leaving furniture visible from the street. Many residents remained outside for hours, gathering together while dust filled the air. “It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses,” said Hector Ricci, a resident of the capital.
The situation was further complicated by power outages and disrupted cellphone service, making it difficult for many families to communicate, especially among the 7.7 million Venezuelans who have left the country during its prolonged crisis. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, speaking from exile, expressed her solidarity on social media, urging collective strength and unity amid this crisis.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello indicated that the tremors were felt across several states in Venezuela. He reported “alarming situations” in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas, where homes and buildings had collapsed, prompting emergency services to be put on high alert. “We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts,” Cabello stated, emphasizing the need for caution, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
In an expression of regional solidarity, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele extended his support to Venezuela and its people, while U.S. Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar also offered her thoughts and prayers for the affected individuals and hailed the resilience of Venezuelans in facing challenges.
The earthquakes reverberated beyond Venezuela's borders, prompting evacuations in cities like Manaus, Belem, and Macapá in Brazil's Amazon. Reports indicated that the tremors were also felt in Colombia's Caribbean and northeast regions; however, no damages or injuries were reported there. The Colombian Maritime Authority reassured that there was no tsunami risk for the country’s Caribbean coast.
Historically, strong earthquakes are rare in Venezuela, despite its location near several fault lines. Compared to other regions in Latin America, such as Mexico and Chile, where quakes are frequent, Venezuela experiences much less seismic activity due to its positioning between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
