Doublet earthquakes devastate northern Venezuela
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's northern coast within 39 seconds on June 24, collapsing buildings across Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira. The first quake registered magnitude 7.2, followed immediately by a 7.5 event — a rare seismic doublet that seismologists say ruptured different segments of the same fault system. The death toll has surpassed 920, with 1,600 foreign rescuers now on the ground searching for survivors.
International rescue effort ramps up
Teams from the United States, Mexico, Spain, and more than 17 other nations have joined the search. In La Guaira, rescuers pulled a newborn baby alive from the rubble. But for most families, hope is fading. Helicopters airlift the wounded to field hospitals as roads remain blocked by debris. The US has pledged $50 million in emergency aid, and naval ships carrying supplies are expected to dock within days.
Political fallout mounts for Rodriguez
President Delcy Rodriguez, a close Trump ally who succeeded Nicolas Maduro, faces growing public anger over the government's slow initial response. Survivors describe digging through rubble with bare hands while waiting for official help. Analysts say the disaster could reshape Venezuela's fragile political landscape, testing the legitimacy of a leadership already struggling with economic collapse and mass migration.