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Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds of each other, causing deadly damage, widespread destruction and a large-scale emergency response across several affected areas.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the first quake at magnitude 7.5 near Yumare in Yaracuy state, followed shortly afterward by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake near San Felipe in the country's northwest.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency, a temporary measure that allows authorities to speed up rescue work and coordinate disaster response.
Rodriguez said officials were still gathering information from La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas, while aftershocks continued to raise concern among residents and rescue teams.
Emergency crews moved into damaged neighborhoods as Venezuelan media reported collapsed and cracked buildings in several areas, with communication outages slowing down damage assessments.
In Chacao municipality, Mayor Gustavo Duque Saez said people had been rescued alive after residential buildings collapsed, while search teams continued looking through the rubble.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the earthquakes were felt across several states, including Caracas, and urged residents to remain outside because damaged buildings could still be at risk.
“We recommend that you remain on the streets, watch over children and the elderly, and try to stay calm as rescue protocols are activated,” Cabello said.
Cabello said the situation in Caracas' Altamira neighborhood was especially alarming, as some multi-story residential buildings had partly collapsed after the severe shaking.
Videos shared on social media showed dust rising over commercial areas of Caracas as buildings cracked and concrete facades fell away.
Rodriguez said Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela's main international gateway serving Caracas, had been closed indefinitely because of severe damage to terminals and runways.
Civil defense teams were also sent to areas closest to the epicenter to check infrastructure damage, while emergency crews searched through rubble for people who may be trapped or injured.
Rodriguez thanked the United Nations, multilateral organizations and several governments for their solidarity and offers of humanitarian assistance.
She said Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Türkiye, Jordan, Barbados, Curacao and the United Kingdom had offered support, including search-and-rescue assistance.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that Washington was "ready, willing, and able to help" Venezuela after what he described as two massive earthquakes.
Trump said he had instructed U.S. government agencies to get ready to move quickly, while Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington was in contact with authorities and mobilizing assistance.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had instructed Brazil's Foreign Ministry to assess the situation and identify possible assistance measures.
The offers came as Venezuela's emergency agencies, civil protection teams, firefighters, police and volunteers were deployed in damaged areas.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat warning for Venezuela's immediate coast, as well as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
A tsunami advisory, which means authorities monitor coastal areas for possible dangerous waves, was also activated for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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