“Venezuela Earthquake Disaster: Delcy Rodríguez Confirms Call With Marco Rubio as US Mobilizes Aid After Deadly Twin Quakes”

“Venezuela Earthquake Disaster: Delcy Rodríguez Confirms Call With Marco Rubio as US Mobilizes Aid After Deadly Twin Quakes”

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed speaking by telephone with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as emergency teams respond to devastating twin earthquakes that have killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700.

The back-to-back earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, with the United States Geological Survey reporting magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The shocks, which occurred less than a minute apart, caused extensive damage in and around Caracas, while La Guaira state home to the country’s main international airport has been identified as among the worst-affected areas.

In a televised address, Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and said rescue workers were searching collapsed buildings for survivors. She cautioned that the casualty figures remained preliminary, particularly as authorities were still assessing damage and access conditions in the hardest-hit communities.

The call with Rubio signals a significant humanitarian engagement between Caracas and Washington during the unfolding crisis. The United States said it was mobilizing disaster assistance, including search and rescue capacity, medical support and humanitarian supplies, as Venezuelan authorities coordinate relief operations and receive offers of assistance from abroad.

The disaster has disrupted transport and public services, with reports of damage to buildings, power infrastructure and key facilities. Venezuela’s main airport near Caracas was closed following the earthquakes, while emergency services faced pressure from the scale of injuries and the continuing risk posed by aftershocks.

For Latin America and the wider Global South, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure and rapid regional humanitarian coordination. As rescue operations continue, the immediate priority remains locating survivors, treating the injured and restoring essential services to affected communities.