Death Toll in Venezuelan Earthquakes Rises to 5,208

The number of fatalities from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 continues to climb. According to the latest official update released on Sunday by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, the death toll has reached 5,208, an increase of 89 from the 5,119 reported on Saturday.

The report also lists 16,740 injured individuals, 6,462 people rescued, 17,907 left homeless, and 23,820 residing in 107 temporary shelters. The number of families receiving assistance totals 128,324. Since the main quake, there have been 1,388 aftershocks recorded.

The scale of the emergency response is reflected in the government's report: 2,278 international rescuers, 30,989 deployed personnel, and 31,745 volunteers are involved. Nearly 11,000 tons of food and over 35 million liters of water have been distributed, and 39,935 patients have received medical attention.

Ongoing Crisis in Venezuela

The death toll has steadily increased since the two quakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes and separated by just 39 seconds—struck the nation at 6:04 PM local time. Initial reports on June 25 indicated 164 fatalities; by June 30, the number had surpassed 1,900; on July 5, it reached 3,342; and by July 12, it was 4,490. The actual number could be significantly higher: the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 42% chance that the total could lie between 10,000 and 100,000. The United Nations estimates up to 68,000 missing and more than 6.7 million affected.

The epicenters were located near San Felipe (Yaracuy) and Yumare (Carabobo) along the San Sebastián fault system. Coastal towns in La Guaira state—Caraballeda, Catia La Mar, Macuto, and Naiguatá—suffered the most severe damage, with over 346 buildings collapsing and around 63,000 structures damaged. NASA confirmed via the NISAR satellite that the fault shifted the ground by up to 60 centimeters near Caracas' international airport.

Impact on Cuban Community

The disaster has also affected the Cuban community in Venezuela. At least 32 Cubans are reported missing, primarily in La Guaira, with at least nine confirmed dead. However, the Cuban government has not released an updated official list. On Sunday, a Cuban woman confirmed the deaths of her parents and other relatives trapped under the rubble in Naiguatá since June 24. "Many people ask how I am doing today. It was a very, very hard blow. I am still searching for their bodies, which has not been easy," she shared on social media.

Another Cuban, a nurse from Camagüey with 27 months of mission service in Venezuela, experienced the earthquakes in La Guaira and continued working in clinics and shelters. "People were running, crying, and screaming. I can tell you about it, but you have to live it," she recounted.

At the time of the earthquake, Cuba had over 12,000 health workers in Venezuela and dispatched the Henry Reeve Contingent in two groups—on June 28 and 30—comprising surgeons, forensic experts, and search dogs. However, the regime's response faced criticism: on June 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied having "official confirmation" of affected Cubans. More notably, the Díaz-Canel regime did not declare any mourning period for the thousands of Venezuelan victims, yet decreed 48 hours of mourning for the recent death of Qatar's Father Emir.

International Support and Recovery Efforts

This earthquake is considered the deadliest in modern Venezuelan history and the most significant seismic event recorded in the country since 1900. On the international stage, Venezuela accessed $346 million of its resources from the International Monetary Fund to finance recovery and reconstruction, while the United States pledged over $386 million in humanitarian and emergency aid.