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The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, publicly thanked President Donald Trump and his administration this Thursday for the support offered to the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes that shook the northern part of the country on Wednesday, June 24.
Through her account on X, Rodríguez wrote: “We thank President Donald Trump and his administration for their ongoing communication with Venezuelan authorities, providing support and solidarity to the people in this time of tragedy. Venezuela will never forget the helping hand extended to our people during these hard times.”
The gesture responds to the announcement that Trump made on Truth Social, where he declared 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 quickly, referring to Venezuelans as "our new and great friends."
Rodríguez also confirmed having a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed 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 working tirelessly."
Rubio also announced the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuelan territory.
The two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.1 and 7.5 occurred on Wednesday at 6:04 PM local time, just 39 seconds apart, with epicenters near Morón in the state of Carabobo and Yumare in the state of Yaracuy.
Official Venezuelan figures report at least 32 dead and more than 700 injured, although unverified sources raise the toll to 236 fatalities and over 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 over 90 structures were affected in the state of Miranda.
Rodríguez declared a state of constitutional emergency on national television Wednesday night, suspended classes, the Caracas Metro, and the Tuy Valley Railway, and closed the Maiquetía International Airport due to severe structural damage.
Since Rodríguez took over 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 on the commercialization of 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil under U.S. supervision.
In addition to the United States, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Qatar, China, Brazil, and several Caribbean countries also offered aid to Venezuela following the earthquakes, the most destructive ones recorded in the country in the last century.
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