On June 24, 2026, northern Venezuela was hit by an unprecedented seismic disaster: two massive earthquakes, registering magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck the region within seconds of one another, leaving a trail of death and widespread destruction across the country’s northern corridor. As of the latest official updates from acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, the disaster has claimed at least 164 lives and left 971 people injured, with rescue teams still racing against time to pull survivors from the rubble of collapsed buildings, prompting warnings that the final death toll may climb as search operations progress.
According to U.S. public media outlet NPR, the second 7.5-magnitude tremor is the most powerful earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900, marking a historic seismic event for the South American nation. The worst damage has been concentrated in areas close to the capital Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where dozens of structures crumbled during the quakes. Emergency response teams have worked nonstop around the clock since the disaster struck, combing through destroyed neighborhoods and damaged infrastructure to locate missing people and deliver life-saving aid to affected communities.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the regional integration bloc representing Caribbean nations, has issued an official statement extending its deepest condolences to the Venezuelan people and affirming regional solidarity amid the crisis. “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses deep condolences over the tragic loss of life, the growing number of injuries, and the extensive damage to infrastructure and homes as a result of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, 24 June 2026,” the statement reads.
Recognizing the profound grief that has gripped the country following the disaster, CARICOM reaffirmed its commitment to standing with Venezuela during this period of trial. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela during this time of immense grief and offer prayers for a swift recovery to the injured and displaced,” the bloc said.
The regional body also paid tribute to the tireless work of those on the front lines of the response effort, commending first responders, emergency personnel and civilian volunteers who have been working under harsh, dangerous conditions to execute rescue missions and deliver critical support to impacted populations.
As Venezuela prepares to enter the long, difficult process of rebuilding shattered communities and infrastructure, CARICOM closed its statement by expressing confidence in the Venezuelan people’s ability to recover, wishing them strength and resilience through the coming months of recovery and reconstruction.