Two Cuban siblings, Vanessa Martínez and Dayan Martínez, originally from Melena del Sur in Mayabeque province, remain unaccounted for in Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes on June 24 that struck the state of La Guaira.
Journalist Daniel Benítez, through his Facebook account, reported that the siblings "were last seen at this building, and now their relatives urgently appeal to anyone with information about them to come forward."
The children lived with their father in the Coral Beach building, situated in Los Corales, one of the regions hardest hit by structural collapses.
The children's father, a Cuban doctor who had served on a mission in Venezuela, chose to stay there, bringing Vanessa with him. Vanessa's mother remains in Cuba, according to reports.
Family members urgently request that anyone with information about the children reach out via the numbers shared on social media.
The Scale of the Tragedy
The case of these siblings is part of a disaster of unprecedented scale. The two quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 39 seconds apart, originating in the state of Yaracuy. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified these as the most powerful quakes to hit Venezuela since 1900.
In La Guaira, over 100 buildings collapsed, including the Coral Beach building, where rescuers managed to save a woman and her father from the debris.
Vanessa and Dayan are not the only Cubans missing. According to the citizen platform Encuéntralos and social media tracking, at least 29 Cubans are reported missing in Venezuela, mostly concentrated in La Guaira, including the areas of Caraballeda, Catia La Mar, and Los Corales.
Among the missing are a family of at least six people from the Oasis and Resjurel buildings, along with a psychologist, a boxing coach, a physiotherapist, and a cycling instructor— all Cuban residents in the coastal area.
Humanitarian Impact
The official count of the disaster stands at 920 dead and over 3,360 injured, according to Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly.
The true extent of the catastrophe could be far greater: the United Nations has unofficial figures suggesting up to 50,000 missing across the country, while the International Organization for Migration estimates that 6.76 million people have been affected.
UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, described the situation as "a truly terrifying devastation."
The Cuban Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that all members of the Cuban medical mission in Venezuela are safe and are actively assisting in relief efforts. However, many Cubans who stayed in the country for personal reasons, like the siblings' father, remain missing.
FAQs on the Venezuelan Earthquake and Cuban Missing Persons
What is the status of Vanessa and Dayan Martínez?
Vanessa and Dayan Martínez are still missing following the earthquakes in Venezuela. Their family is seeking any information on their whereabouts.
How many Cubans are reported missing in Venezuela?
At least 29 Cubans are reported missing, with many concentrated in the state of La Guaira.
What was the magnitude of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
What is the estimated impact of the earthquakes?
The official figures report 920 deaths and over 3,360 injuries, but UN estimates suggest up to 50,000 could be missing.