The official death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has surpassed 5,000, ranking the disaster among the deadliest in Latin America in recent years. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez stated on Friday that 5,119 people have been confirmed dead, with most casualties in the coastal state of La Guaira, which was severely damaged by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes. In addition to the fatalities, 16,740 people were injured, although most have since been discharged from hospitals. These figures were provided more than three weeks after the disaster, which also saw 1,331 aftershocks recorded.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced on Friday that Venezuela secured $346 million in emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed the funds were released from Venezuela's reserve tranche to address urgent humanitarian needs. This financial aid comes after the IMF and World Bank restored relations with Venezuela in April, following the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro in January after ties were suspended in 2019.
Public outrage has reportedly grown over the government's response, with survivors and critics accusing authorities of slow action. A Reuters investigation found that initial rescue efforts were hampered by delayed military deployment, a shortage of basic rescue equipment, and confusion from overlapping chains of command. Approximately 20,000 people remain displaced, many living in overcrowded shelters without reliable access to clean water or sanitation. The government reported that 856 buildings were damaged, and 190 completely collapsed, with more than 6,400 people pulled alive from the rubble. Authorities are assisting 128,324 families and have established 107 temporary camps housing 21,470 people.
