At least 164 dead and 971 injured after powerful quakes rock Venezuela, acting president says

Venezuela is currently facing a humanitarian crisis following two powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday evening. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed at least 164 deaths and 971 injuries as a result of the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors. The quakes, which occurred near the Caribbean coast, were among the strongest to hit the region in over a century. La Guaira has been identified as a disaster zone, with rescue teams working intensively to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The government has established a $200 million reconstruction fund to assist with repairs for damaged infrastructure, including homes and hospitals. In the capital of Caracas, significant damage, power outages, and communication disruptions have complicated recovery efforts. International support is already mobilizing, with the United States and various other nations offering search and rescue resources and humanitarian aid. Schools and major transportation hubs, such as Simón Bolívar International Airport, remain closed while the country manages the aftermath. Although Venezuela does not frequently experience large-scale seismic activity, these events have caused widespread alarm throughout the country and surrounding regions.