12/07/2026 22:32 - Internacionales
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was struck by a dual earthquake measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. Almost three weeks after the tragedy, the national government updated the figures, reporting the discovery of 215 new bodies, bringing the death toll to 4,333.
La Guaira—a coastal state in Venezuela and the main port region near the capital, Caracas—has been identified as the 'ground zero' of the disaster. It concentrates the most significant structural damage and human losses. To date, 190 buildings have collapsed and 856 properties have been damaged, leaving 17,907 people homeless.
Despite the harsh reality, rescue teams have managed to save 6,462 people from the rubble. This number represents a beacon of hope for affected families and stands as a testament to the hard work of emergency teams still operating in the area.
The United Nations (UN) has requested $300 million in emergency aid. Neighboring countries like Argentina—a fellow South American nation—have already joined in, sending 16 tons of humanitarian assistance to help those affected.
To face the monumental task of rebuilding, Venezuela's Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, has formally requested the United Kingdom to release $1.9 billion in gold belonging to the Venezuelan state. Additionally, she has held talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to access $5.1 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)—an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement member countries' official reserves.
The earthquake also claimed the life of a young Argentine boy, Lucas Gámez (9 years old), who was found lifeless after 14 days of intense searching. His case deeply moved both nations and highlighted the deeply human dimension of this natural catastrophe.
The Richter scale measures the energy released by an earthquake. A tremor of magnitude 7.0 to 7.9 is classified as 'very strong' and can cause severe damage to poorly designed structures, especially in populated areas. The occurrence of 1,171 aftershocks following the main event has complicated rescue and stabilization efforts in the region.
Sources: Information verified as of July 12, 2026, according to reports from international agencies and local media. Read more updates at Imago News.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
