Jorge Rodriguez confirms the death toll from the twin earthquakes in Venezuela has surpassed 5,000 people.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed on Friday that the death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 5,069. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes caused the most significant destruction in the coastal state of La Guaira, where many apartment towers collapsed. While the number of injured remains steady at 16,740, Rodriguez noted that most of those affected have since been discharged from the hospital. The disaster left approximately 20,000 people displaced and damaged 856 buildings, with 190 collapsing completely. Although critics have accused the government of a slow initial response due to equipment shortages and overlapping commands, Rodriguez dismissed these claims, stating the government acted swiftly. To support humanitarian needs, the administration announced that Venezuela secured $346 million in emergency financing from the International Monetary Fund. This funding follows the restoration of ties between the IMF and Venezuela after the United States removed former President Nicolas Maduro from power in January.

Sources