Two back-to-back earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast near Morón on Wednesday, approximately 100 miles west of Caracas, killing at least 32 people and injuring at least 700. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency as buildings were destroyed or extensively damaged across Caracas and several Venezuelan states. The U.S. Geological Survey issued its highest-level alert, signaling expectations of significant loss of life and severe economic damage.
Sequence and Depth
The first earthquake hit near Morón at a depth of 13.6 miles. The second struck seconds later in the same area at a shallower depth of 6.2 miles. The U.S. Geological Survey's highest-level alert — reserved for events expected to cause the most severe humanitarian and economic impact — covered both events.
Casualties and State of Emergency
Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president, confirmed in a video address late Wednesday that at least 32 people had been killed and at least 700 injured. Officials stated the death toll was expected to rise as search and rescue operations continued into Thursday. Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and urged citizens to remain alert and calm. Damage extended across Caracas and multiple Venezuelan states, with reports of buildings destroyed or extensively damaged.
U.S. Response and Cross-Border Aid
Washington moved quickly to engage. Jeremy Lewin, under secretary for foreign assistance at the U.S. State Department, said American officials had already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance. Lewin stated the U.S. would send search and rescue teams, medical supplies, humanitarian supplies, and other resources in the initial days following the disaster. The U.S. indicated it was coordinating directly with what it described as the interim Venezuelan government.
What to Watch
Search and rescue operations were ongoing as of Thursday. With the USGS highest-level alert in effect and officials explicitly expecting the death toll to climb, the scale of structural damage across Caracas and surrounding states remains the primary variable. The speed and scope of international humanitarian access — given Venezuela's complex political environment — will shape the near-term response picture.