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ABC News

Venezuela earthquakes live updates: US sending search and rescue teams, Rubio says

PHOTO: Residents walk through the rubble of damaged apartment buildings following the twin 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck the country, in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
1:51
Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock
Dozens killed as 2 powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela, president say
By Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: June 25, 2026, 6:21 PM

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds of others were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised address.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Emergency responders were undertaking "intensive rescue operations" early on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, Rodriguez said.

Key Headlines

  • Death toll climbs to 188
  • Quakes may become most devastating in Venezuela's modern history
  • US Southern Command to support government relief operation
  • Main airport closed until at least Friday
Here's how the news is developing.

Jun 25, 2026 6:21 PM

Death toll climbs to 188

At least 188 people are dead and another 1,520 are injured following the two devastating earthquakes, according to Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

PHOTO: People search for casualties amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, in the aftermath of earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Maxwell Briceno/Reuters
People search for casualties amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, in the aftermath of earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Maxwell Briceno/Reuters


Rescue teams from the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Qatar and the United Nations are a heading to Venezuela to help, Rodríguez said.

At least 2,927 families have been impacted, Rodríguez said, and he called for people to remain at home.


Jun 25, 2026 5:34 PM

How to help the victims

Click here to learn about some of the organizations helping those affected by the earthquakes.

PHOTO: Residents walk among the rubble of building damaged in earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
Residents walk among the rubble of building damaged in earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

Jun 25, 2026 5:05 PM

Quakes may become most devastating in Venezuela's modern history

The two powerful earthquakes may become the most devastating in Venezuela's modern history.

A man inspects a collapsed apartment building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026. VENEZUELA-EARTHQUAKE
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images
A man inspects a collapsed apartment building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

Venezuela sits along the Caribbean plate. It is not part of the infamous Ring of Fire that snakes around the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes -- especially of higher magnitude -- are relatively common.

An earthquake of this high a magnitude causes so much damage in a place like Venezuela because Venezuela’s infrastructure is not as prepared as countries along the Ring of Fire, like Japan.

PHOTO: Residents walk through the rubble of damaged apartment buildings following the twin 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck the country, in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock
Residents walk through the rubble of damaged apartment buildings following the twin 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck the country, in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the death toll will likely go over 1,000 and potentially could exceed 10,000.

-ABC News’ Kenton Gewecke



Jun 25, 2026 4:46 PM

US Southern Command to support government relief operation

The U.S. Southern Command said it is working with the State Department to support a U.S. government relief operation in Venezuela.

“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” a SOUTHCOM statement said.

PHOTO: Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
PHOTO: People stand before damaged homes following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images
People stand before damaged homes following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images


-ABC News’ Luis Martinez


Jun 25, 2026 4:07 PM

Main airport closed until at least Friday

Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela’s main airport in Caracas, will be closed until at least Friday, according to the Interior Ministry.

PHOTO: A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo


-ABC News’ Aicha El Hammar


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