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The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, publicly thanked President Donald Trump and his administration on Thursday for the support offered to the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes that struck the north of the country on Wednesday, June 24.
Through her account on X, Rodríguez wrote: "We thank President Donald Trump and his administration, who have been in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities, providing support and solidarity to the people in light of the tragedy that has befallen us. Venezuela will never forget the hand extended to our people in these very difficult times."
The gesture responds to the announcement that Trump made on Truth Social, where he stated that the two earthquakes "are massive in scale and have resulted in a devastating number of deaths," and assured that the United States is "ready, willing, and able to help," instructing all federal agencies to prepare to act swiftly, referring to the Venezuelans as "our new and great friends."
Rodríguez also confirmed that he had a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who extended condolences on behalf of Washington: “Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, the injured, and the brave rescue workers who are tirelessly working.”
Rubio also announced the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan territory.
The two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.1 and 7.5 occurred on Wednesday at 6:04 PM local time, separated by just 39 seconds, with epicenters near Morón in the Carabobo state and Yumare in the Yaracuy state.
Official Venezuelan figures report at least 32 dead and over 700 injured, although unverified sources increase the toll to 236 fatalities and more than 2,000 injured.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a Red Alert and estimated a 42% to 44% probability that the number of fatalities will exceed 10,000 people, with projected economic losses ranging from 2% to 20% of Venezuela's GDP.
In Caracas, at least two buildings collapsed in the Chacao municipality, and more than 90 structures were affected in the state of Miranda.
Rodríguez declared a state of constitutional emergency on national television on Wednesday night, suspended classes, the Caracas Metro and the Valles del Tuy Railway, and closed the Maiquetía International Airport due to severe structural damage.
Since Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency in January 2026, following Maduro's capture, relations with Washington have transformed radically: the United States reopened its embassy in Caracas in February 2026, and both countries agreed to the marketing of 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil under American supervision.
In addition to the United States, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Qatar, China, Brazil, and several Caribbean countries also offered assistance to Venezuela after the earthquakes, which are the most destructive recorded in the country in the last century.
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