Venezuela was struck Wednesday afternoon by the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in more than a century, causing widespread destruction, significant casualties, and a large-scale emergency response across several states, as reported by The New York Post.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 100 miles west of Caracas. Just 39 seconds later, a second, larger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the region.
The USGS warned that “High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” estimating the death toll could ultimately reach between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
Venezuela looks like it was BOMBED after two MASSIVE 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.
Pray for the people, this is really bad pic.twitter.com/pIw8ywXzYe
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) June 25, 2026
As of early Thursday, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people had been confirmed dead, and nearly 1,000 others had been injured.
Videos shared on social media showed residents running from buildings as the earthquakes struck. Footage from Maiquetia International Airport appeared to show ceiling panels collapsing and electrical sparks inside the terminal.
Other videos showed baseball players and spectators running onto the field during a game in Caracas as the stadium shook.
Emergency crews spent Wednesday evening searching damaged and collapsed buildings while residents looked for missing family members.
Images from Caracas and surrounding areas showed extensive structural damage, with debris covering streets and rescue workers searching through the rubble.
It’s going to be a long night in Venezuela. President Trump is on it! This puts the Reflecting Pool liberal meltdown BS in perspective, doesn’t it.
Thank God we, and the Venezuelan people, have @realDonaldTrump in charge. He’ll take care of Venezuela, bank on it.
❤️ …
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) June 25, 2026
Maria Alejandra, a Caracas resident, described the aftermath.
“When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie,” she said.
“We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out.”
Another resident, Martha Añez, told CNN she called for help after becoming trapped.
“I leaned out onto the balcony, screaming, ‘We’re trapped! We need help! Please, someone, come!’”
She said the two earthquakes occurred so closely together that “it felt endless.”
Astrid Ramirez, a 41-year-old publicist in western Caracas, said the shaking quickly prompted residents to evacuate.
“As soon as it started, we began hearing people screaming,” Ramirez said. “Everyone was running down the stairs.”
The earthquakes occurred while many Venezuelans were observing Battle of Carabobo Day, a national holiday commemorating the country’s 1821 victory that helped secure independence from Spain.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said several states experienced strong shaking and urged residents to follow emergency guidance.
“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.”
President Donald Trump said Wednesday evening that the United States was prepared to assist Venezuela’s recovery efforts.
“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 wrote on Truth Social.
“The U.S.A. 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!!! President DJT.”
UPDATE: The situation in Venezuela is horrific. The country was hit by a catastrophic double-earthquake.
First, a violent 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the area, followed just 40 seconds later by an even more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
At this difficult time,… pic.twitter.com/DTIYeuEMlY
— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) June 25, 2026
Rodriguez thanked Trump and the United States for the offer of assistance.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “I had an opportunity to talk earlier this morning with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting President. We’re already deploying search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles.” pic.twitter.com/Ljww70EUx9
— Ahmad Shah Mohibi (@WarGuy_) June 25, 2026
She said the United States had been “in constant contact with the Venezuelan authorities, providing support and solidarity to the people of Venezuela in the face of the tragedy that grips us.”
“Venezuela will never forget the hand extended to our people in these hard hours.”
The report noted that in January, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro, who are being held in federal custody in the United States.
A statement posted on Maduro’s official Telegram channel urged national unity.
“Today, there is only one message: maximum unity, maximum solidarity, and maximum action.”
“Let no one be left alone, let each community take care of their children, their grandparents, their sick.”
“Venezuela has faced great trials, and we will come out of this one strong too, with faith, discipline, and solidarity.”
Following the earthquakes, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System briefly issued tsunami warnings for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands before canceling them about an hour later.
Venezuela lies along the boundary between the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate, one of the region’s most active seismic zones.
According to the USGS, an earthquake in March 1812 destroyed much of Mérida and Caracas and killed approximately 30,000 people.
