On June 24, 2026, a pair of powerful earthquakes—registering magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5—struck Venezuela, leaving a devastating trail of destruction in their wake. The disaster has already claimed more than 2,000 lives, with thousands more suffering injuries and being forced to flee their damaged homes. Seismology and economic experts estimate the total damage from the twin quakes will fall between $4 billion and $11 billion, adding to the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding in the country.
In response to the tragedy, the Central American nation of Belize has moved quickly to extend a hand of support. Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed he has directly contacted Venezuelan government leadership to offer condolences and assistance. Working through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Belize has pledged both coordinated regional support and direct financial aid to fund the purchase of critical emergency supplies identified as necessary by Venezuelan authorities.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, public concern has grown over the status of Belizean citizens residing in Venezuela, particularly the small cohort of Belizean students studying in the country. In an official statement, Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca addressed these growing concerns, confirming that all five Belizean students currently in Venezuela have been accounted for and are unharmed.
“This is an unfathomable human tragedy, and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Venezuela,” Fonseca shared. “Consular teams from Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, and our local ambassador Annie Lou Burns have maintained consistent contact with all five students. Given the widespread infrastructure damage and unstable conditions across the hardest-hit regions, the government has made the decision to evacuate the students back to Belize, where they will be reunited with their families in the coming days.”
This report is a transcribed transcript of an evening television news broadcast originally published online.