Venezuela has experienced the strongest earthquake in a century. What the media is writing
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- Venezuela has experienced the strongest earthquake in a century. What the media is writing
Two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 have occurred in Venezuela. These are the strongest tremors since 1900. At the moment, 32 people have died and more than 700 have been injured. Several countries have announced their readiness to provide assistance, including the United States and El Salvador, which strongly oppose the current government of Venezuela. How the media reacts to the disaster in the country is in the Izvestia digest.
Bloomberg: in Venezuela, two earthquakes in a row killed 32 people
Two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela have killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700, destroyed dozens of buildings and devastated the country's main international airport. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the evening of June 24 was followed less than a minute later by an even stronger 7.5 magnitude earthquake, the epicenter of which was located in Yaracuy State west of Caracas, according to the US Geological Survey.
Bloomberg
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced the death toll in a national address, adding that more victims were expected. "All of our authorities and the civil protection system are focused on the primary task of saving lives," Rodriguez said. "Subsequently, we will deal with everything related to the restoration of infrastructure."
Rodriguez said she had no information on casualties in the hardest-hit region, the coastal state of La Guayra, where dozens of buildings collapsed and the country's main international airport was closed due to severe damage. Schools are also closed, and Rodriguez urged people to cancel all nonessential events.
The New York Times: earthquake was the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century
The 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela was the strongest in the country or off its coast since 1900. The previous earthquake of magnitude 7.7 was recorded off the coast of this South American country on October 29, 1900. Since records of that cataclysm using modern instruments were not available, the magnitude calculation is based on reports of damage and consequences in the area.
The New York Times
The so-called San Narciso earthquake of 1900 shook Caracas early in the morning, killing 21 people and injuring 50 others, as well as destroying churches, public buildings and homes throughout the city, according to the agency's aftermath report.
The current earthquake could be much more deadly, although the number of victims and the extent of the damage are not yet clear. Experts have stated that the two earthquakes are related, calling the 7.2 magnitude earthquake a harbinger and the 7.5 magnitude earthquake a major aftershock. Venezuela is located between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, so earthquakes are quite common here.
CNN: The double earthquake was a devastating blow to the Venezuelan economy
The strongest earthquake in Venezuela in more than a century occurred at the most inopportune time for the country. Despite the world's largest oil reserves, the country's economy has already been crippled by years of U.S. sanctions, hyperinflation, government corruption, and mismanagement of the oil sector. Since 2013, the country's GDP has decreased by about 80%. Then in January, the United States captured President Nicolas Maduro.
CNN
But even though the United States has eased sanctions and oil production has gradually increased, inflation remains high and ordinary citizens are still experiencing difficulties due to low salaries. According to the UN, in 2025, almost 8 million people, or about a third of the population, needed humanitarian assistance.
It is difficult to get basic goods and services in Venezuela, from refueling a car to buying medicines at a pharmacy, as the country suffers from a chronic shortage of basic necessities. The humanitarian crisis caused by the two earthquakes will further exacerbate the already tense supply chain situation. The country's most important oil industry needs billions of dollars of investment to at least get closer to the halcyon days of the late 1990s, when oil production reached its peak.
Associated Press: Venezuela receives promises of aid
Offers of assistance have been received from governments in various countries, including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was "immediately sending search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian aid to Venezuela." Rodriguez said she had spoken with Rubio on the phone, but did not disclose the details of the conversation. She also expressed gratitude to the leaders of various countries who sent her messages of support.
Associated Press
Jeremy Levin, the U.S. undersecretary of State for Foreign Aid, said the State Department has mobilized a disaster relief team and a task force to coordinate aid in cooperation with the interim government of Venezuela. [June 25] Rodriguez stated that Qatar has already sent rescuers, who are expected to arrive in Venezuela the next day, as well as rescuers from Mexico and El Salvador.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, who previously held a diametrically opposed position towards the Venezuelan government, said he had offered help. Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who declared a state of emergency in the country less than a week ago after weeks of anti-government protests, said his country was ready to provide any necessary assistance.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
