SAN FELIPE, Venezuela, June 25 (World Daily Times) — The U.S. Geological Survey said two major earthquakes struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart Wednesday evening, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and epicenters near San Felipe and Yumare.
The agency’s PAGER system issued red alerts and warned that high casualties and extensive damage were likely, with the disaster expected to be widespread and to carry a major economic impact.
Venezuelan officials said the quakes damaged buildings in Caracas and prompted rescue crews to search through debris. Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and later said at least 32 people had been killed and more than 700 injured.
The casualty count remained unclear in the reports reviewed, and the sources did not provide a single independently verified final total.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the earthquakes had left “a devastating number of deaths” and that the United States stood “ready, willing, and able to help.” He said he had instructed federal agencies to prepare to move quickly.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said U.S. officials were in contact with Venezuelan authorities and were mobilizing assistance. The State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it was closely watching the aftermath and extending condolences.
Senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had been established to coordinate search-and-rescue support, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.
