Delcy Rodriguez reports a rising death toll of 5,069 following two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month.

Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president of Venezuela, confirmed that the death toll from the twin earthquakes on June 24 has risen to 5,069. While the number of injured remains steady at 16,740, ongoing recovery efforts in the coastal state of La Guaira have revealed more casualties. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes damaged 856 buildings and caused 190 to collapse completely. The disaster has significantly impacted the national economy, prompting a downward revision of the 2026 GDP growth forecast from 8% to 5.8%. Experts estimate the total economic cost could reach $12.2 billion, with reconstruction requiring up to $15 billion. While the oil industry remains relatively stable, the country faces rising inflation, which is now projected to hit 350%. Analysts suggest that the speed of recovery will depend on the government's ability to secure international cooperation and private investment while maintaining transparency and political coordination to rebuild the nation's infrastructure.

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