Venezuela grapples with crisis as quake death toll climbs to 188

The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela intensified on Thursday as officials confirmed that the death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck the country’s northern coast has risen to 188, with hundreds more injured and missing.

Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly, reported that at least 1,520 injured individuals have been hospitalized and are currently receiving medical care.

Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid the devastation, as 157 people remain unaccounted for and more than 200 others are believed to be trapped under collapsed structures.

Authorities are also grappling with the aftermath of continued seismic activity. Rodriguez said that 138 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck late Wednesday, further complicating rescue and recovery operations.

The destruction to infrastructure has been extensive. According to Rodriguez, 346 sites sustained damage, including 250 buildings and 20 shopping centers, with the majority located in La Guaira state.

The healthcare system has also taken a severe hit, with eight hospitals damaged, forcing emergency evacuations and transfers of patients to functioning facilities.

In response to the disaster, the Venezuelan government has established a USD200 million emergency fund aimed at supporting immediate reconstruction efforts. The fund will prioritize rebuilding homes, restoring hospitals, and stabilizing critical infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas.

The earthquakes, which struck along Venezuela’s northern Caribbean coast, triggered widespread destruction and prompted tsunami warnings across nearby regions.