The death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 2,595, with over 12,000 injured and a significant number of people still unaccounted for. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, the strongest in over a century, have caused extensive destruction, particularly in Caracas and La Guaira, where nearly 800 buildings collapsed.
The United Nations Development Programme estimates direct physical damage at $6.7 billion, representing about 6% of Venezuela's GDP, while total economic losses could exceed $10 billion according to risk modeler Verisk. Despite the devastation, the government reported only minor delays in oil exports, which is crucial for the country's economy.
The U.S. has initiated a large-scale disaster response, deploying over 900 personnel to assist in rescue efforts, while the Venezuelan government has faced criticism regarding its response time.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated that emergency protocols were activated shortly after the earthquakes, but the situation remains dire as rescue operations continue and the full extent of the damage is assessed