Venezuela hit by earthquakes; citizens accuse negligence, deportees missing

Venezuela was struck by devastating twin earthquakes last Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing widespread destruction along its coast, particularly in the state of La Guaira. The powerful tremors flattened nearly 200 buildings and severely damaged hundreds more.

The confirmed death toll has tragically surpassed 1,700, with over 5,000 injured and nearly 16,000 people displaced from their homes. Adding to the tragedy, an estimated 45,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, and among the presumed casualties are more than 130 Venezuelan citizens, including children, who had been recently deported from the United States and were housed in a government-run hotel that collapsed.

Amidst the humanitarian crisis, widespread frustration is mounting among Venezuelans, who accuse their government of negligence and a slow, disorganized, and inadequate response to the disaster. Critics point to alleged delays in aid distribution and restrictions on rescue efforts, which have exacerbated the suffering of survivors.