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President Donald Trump expressed condolences and announced U.S. preparedness to assist Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country earlier this week.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed at least 32 fatalities and over 700 injuries from the seismic events, marking the nation’s first official casualty figures. She stated the earthquakes, among the strongest in over a century, caused significant infrastructure damage in Caracas and other regions.
Trump addressed the disaster via a Truth Social post, calling the two “massive” earthquakes a “devastating” crisis requiring urgent humanitarian support.
“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!” Trump declared. “I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
Official data from the U.S. Geological Survey revealed an initial 7.2-magnitude tremor at 6:04 p.m. ET, swiftly followed by a 7.5-magnitude quake just 39 seconds later. Both were centered along Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline, triggering widespread destruction and hundreds of aftershocks.
Emergency services and first responders are working to recover victims trapped in collapsed structures, while regional authorities continue rescue operations. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs emphasized that American officials are coordinating closely with Venezuelan authorities to deliver aid.
Rodríguez issued a nationwide emergency declaration, urging citizens to prioritize safety and national unity amid the unfolding crisis.
Trump reiterated that early assessments of the disaster’s impact “were not good,” though specific U.S. aid plans remain undisclosed pending coordination.
Reports highlight the earthquakes’ unprecedented strength, with seismic waves detected as far as 18 miles offshore. The nearby Atlantic Ocean likely amplified the tremors’ intensity across northern Venezuela.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
