Armando Dueñas, a Cuban pitcher originally from Matanzas and currently signed with the Samanes de Aragua in the Venezuelan Major League Baseball, personally endured the devastating earthquake on June 24 while at La Guaira Stadium. He shared his harrowing experience with Cuban sports journalist Pavel Otero in a conversation published on Facebook.
Describing the ordeal as "the most unpleasant experience of my life," Dueñas recounted the powerful twin quakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that shook the Andean country, resulting in at least 920 deaths and over 3,360 injuries.
The pitcher detailed the moment the disaster struck: "I was shirtless in the clubhouse when a notification about a potential earthquake popped up on my phone. Suddenly, a piece of the grandstand fell very close to me, and everything started shaking."
With no time to waste, Dueñas sprinted towards the center of the field wearing only his baseball pants.
He then witnessed an unforgettable scene: "Looking up, I saw the hotel where the visiting team's families were staying had completely collapsed, brother."
The hotel in question, the Hotel Edwards, was a luxurious eight-story building with 106 rooms located in Macuto, La Guaira. At the time, it was hosting families of players from the Guerreros de Lara and the Delfines de La Guaira, and it was reduced to rubble by the earthquake.
Despite the severity of the situation, the Matanzas-born player emerged unscathed: "Thank God, nothing happened to me, but I'll never forget this," he assured Otero.
Dueñas also reassured those concerned about him in Cuba, confirming that the other Cuban players contracted in Venezuela were unharmed.
Regarding his return to the island, the pitcher explained he hopes to come back soon: "I'm waiting for arrangements to return to Cuba immediately. They're getting me a ticket through Valencia airport. Caracas is closed because its runway is destroyed."
The Maiquetía International Airport, Venezuela's main air terminal, suffered significant damage to its runway, roofs, and structures, leading to its indefinite closure and the cancellation of flights by airlines such as Iberia, Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and American Airlines, according to reports from El País.
The state of La Guaira, where Dueñas was located, was declared a natural disaster zone, with more than 100 buildings collapsing in the area.
The United Nations estimated that 6.76 million people were affected by the earthquakes, including two million in Caracas alone, while over 1,000 rescuers from 16 countries were deployed to the country.
Following the catastrophe, the Venezuelan Major League Baseball decided to permanently suspend its 2026 season to prioritize humanitarian aid efforts.
Additionally, a 4.9 magnitude aftershock was recorded on Saturday, adding to the more than 200 aftershocks counted since the main quake on June 24.
Impact of the Venezuelan Earthquake on Baseball and Infrastructure
How did the Venezuelan earthquake affect the baseball season?
The Venezuelan Major League Baseball permanently suspended its 2026 season to focus on humanitarian aid efforts following the earthquake.
What were the consequences for the Maiquetía International Airport?
The Maiquetía International Airport suffered severe damage to its runway, roofs, and structures, resulting in its indefinite closure and the cancellation of numerous flights.
How many people were affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The United Nations estimated that 6.76 million individuals were affected by the earthquakes, with two million impacted in Caracas alone.
What is the status of Cuban players in Venezuela after the earthquake?
Cuban pitcher Armando Dueñas confirmed that the other Cuban players contracted in Venezuela were unharmed by the earthquake.