Venezuela’s Deadliest Modern Earthquakes: Human Toll and Sanctions-Linked Relief Challenges

On Wednesday, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck near San Felipe, Yaracuy, followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude tremor. The shocks centered about 100 miles west of Caracas, collapsing buildings across the capital and the coastal city of La Guaira.

Common Dreams

U.S. sanctions on Venezuela began under President George W. Bush, were expanded under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden, and target the Maduro regime and its oil sector. Human-rights groups argue that the sanctions cripple financial flows, limiting the country’s capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters.

Common Dreams

Death counts range from 164 to 589, with 2,980 injured. Opposition trackers list roughly 49,500 missing, while the U.S. Geological Survey projects over 10,000 fatalities. Authorities reported damage to 250 structures, including eight hospitals, while oil facilities remained largely intact.

The Advocate (Tasmania)

President Donald Trump declared the United States “ready, willing, and able to help.” Interim President Delcy Rodríguez thanked the United States and noted that sanctions were eased for aid. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged rescue teams; UN relief chief Tom Fletcher called for a “massive collective effort.” The UN human-rights office labeled connectivity a “matter of life and death,” and SpaceX’s Starlink pledged free service through July 25.

The Advocate (Tasmania)

CodePink warned that “when a country is deliberately weakened through economic warfare, its ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters is also weakened.” Mark Weisbrot of CEPR said sanctions caused “the worst depression in the history of the world” and estimated 40,000 excess deaths. CodePink also urged the U.S. to release Venezuelan assets under American jurisdiction to fund emergency relief.

Common Dreams

Yamileth Jimenez said her 19-year-old son was “under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out.” Suhayl Sarquiz described her home as “uninhabitable” and that she now has only her son. Beatriz Rodriguez called the scene “a tragedy” after her nephew lost both legs in the collapse.

The Advocate (Tasmania)

Death tolls vary from 164 to 589; missing-person estimates span 49,500 to an undefined “thousands.” The USGS forecast of over 10,000 deaths exceeds all official counts, highlighting limited on-the-ground verification and the difficulty of assessing the full humanitarian impact.

Common Dreams

• “Today’s catastrophe makes clear what we have long argued: When a country is deliberately weakened through economic warfare, its ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters is also weakened,” — CodePink, US-based peace group

Common Dreams

• “This is the time for cooperation, compassion, and respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty,” — CodePink

Common Dreams

• “we must remember that Venezuela suffered the worst depression in the history of the world, without a war, due to illegal US economic sanctions.” — Mark Weisbrot, CEPR co-director

Common Dreams

• “He's under the slabs and there's no machinery to get him out,” — Yamileth Jimenez, mother of a trapped 19-year-old

The Advocate (Tasmania)

U.S. rescue teams and Pentagon logistics are en route, joined by Mexican soldiers, sniffer dogs, and volunteers along the Caracas-La Guaira highway. The UN is coordinating a “massive collective effort,” and Starlink will maintain free internet until July 25 to support communications for aid distribution.

The Advocate (Tasmania)