Source: Amnesty International –
On 24 June 2026, two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck northern Venezuela, causing one of the country’s most serious disasters in recent decades. According to official figures, 6,509 people were killed and 60,785 affected homes were assessed, of which 11,001 were classified as high risk.
“Three months after these events, there remains a debt to those affected that must be addressed by placing their human rights and dignity at the centre of the recovery,” said Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.
“Three months after these events, there remains a debt to those affected that must be addressed by placing their human rights and dignity at the centre of the recovery.”
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.
The earthquakes struck a population already facing a complex humanitarian emergency, serious difficulties in accessing economic and social rights, including the rights to health, food, housing and work, as well as a policy of systematic and widespread repression that has pushed at least 25% of Venezuela’s population to flee the country since 2015 in search of international protection.
Amnesty International interviewed 21 people directly affected in Caracas and La Guaira between 23 July and 14 August 2026. Those interviewed said that the Venezuelan authorities’ response was delayed and poorly coordinated. Family members and neighbours removed rubble with their bare hands or improvised tools while requesting heavy machinery, specialized personnel and search dogs. They also reported that, although there was a large deployment of police, military and intelligence personnel, their activities focused on surveillance and territorial control rather than directly participating in rescue operations or efforts to locate missing people.