Twin earthquakes cause widespread destruction and casualties in Venezuela

On Wednesday, two powerful earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela, primarily affecting the coastal state of La Guaira and the area near Caracas. As of Monday, the official death toll reached over 1,700, with more than 3,150 people injured and over 770 buildings collapsed. While government figures suggest hundreds remain trapped, opposition-linked tracking estimates that tens of thousands of people are missing. International rescue teams from the United States, Europe, and other nations have arrived to assist local volunteers, who have been conducting search efforts with limited heavy equipment. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that rescue operations will continue despite the expiration of the critical 72-hour window. Experts have noted that the high casualty rate may be linked to poor infrastructure and building code enforcement over recent decades. The U.S. Geological Survey warned that the final death toll could potentially reach 10,000, while the UN estimates economic damages at approximately $6.7 billion.