Venezuela’s Acting President Is Facing Her Worst Crisis yet. Could It Help Her Stay in Power?
Government figures put the death toll above 3,000 as aftershocks and damaged hospitals strain rescue and relief efforts.
- On June 24, 2026, two major earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing 3,685 people and displacing over 17,000, with 942 aftershocks recorded since.
- The earthquakes caused approximately $37 billion in direct physical damage, affecting 6% of GDP, while 38 hospitals were damaged amid a humanitarian crisis.
- UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Roberto Benes stated families are "sleeping outside, afraid of more aftershocks," while trauma unit head Eugenio Cova warned of infection risks.
- Criticism of the government is mounting as Acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces a political test, while opposition leader María Corina Machado accused authorities of blocking her from entering to aid relief efforts.
- A State Department spokesperson told CNN on Thursday the United States remains focused on the response, with analysts suggesting Washington will likely continue supporting Rodríguez to safeguard economic interests.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Venezuela’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens After Worst Earthquake in Decades
In recent weeks, Venezuela’s humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply following the twin earthquakes on June 24. Marking the strongest seismic event since 1990, the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks have resulted in a significant loss of life, widespread damage to critical infrastructure, and considerable disruption to livelihoods and humanitarian response efforts. Before these earthquakes, Venezuela was […]
The government of Venezuela updated the balance of deaths, injuries and damage in the country following the earthquakes recorded on June 24.The number of people killed would have increased to 2,535.Reports indicate that, in the rescue work, more than 29,000 personnel, 27,930 volunteers and 4,338 international elements participate, who continue to search in the affected areas.
A natural tragedy often reveals the real quality of a state. Not because a government can prevent the earth from shaking but because it can prepare better, react faster, report more clearly and coordinate more effectively. Earthquakes that struck Venezuela not only collapsed buildings: they exhibited the cracks of a public apparatus accustomed to controlling the story, but much less able to manage a large-scale emergency. The data are shocking. …
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