The death toll from the Venezuela earthquakes has risen to 3,342 with 16,740 injured, up from earlier reports of more than 2,500, as United Nations agencies warn of disease outbreaks and food insecurity among survivors and the recovery operation shifts from rescue to burial [1][5][6][11]. The UN estimates that as many as 50,000 people remain unaccounted for, a figure UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called "terrifyingly plausible" [2][6][15]. The twin earthquakes on June 24 struck seven states, with La Guaira the most affected, and were followed by nearly 1,000 aftershocks [5][9].
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced the updated figures on Venezuela's independence day, defending the government's response by noting the deployment of security forces and the creation of a new military disaster unit [1]. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that thousands of troops and officials were dispatched immediately and rejected criticism of slow rescues and hidden casualty figures [2][6][11]. She acknowledged "a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything" and vowed that the country would not descend into social unrest, citing "deep social solidarity" [2][3][7].
Opposition leader María Corina Machado criticized the government's earthquake response, accusing it of exposing administrative weaknesses [12]. Residents and survivors accused authorities of inefficiency and a delayed response, with some saying they were left to save themselves [2][17][20]. Reuters reported experts who said the casualty toll was worsened by decades of neglect and poor building code enforcement under previous administrations [21]. RFI Kiswahili reported criticism of the government's slow response and noted international rescue teams from at least 17 countries had deployed to Venezuela [25].
The UN estimated $6.7 billion in physical damage, equivalent to 6 percent of Venezuela's GDP [2][7]. The World Health Organization warned that the health system is under severe pressure, with damaged infrastructure, critical staff shortages, and heightened risk of disease outbreaks including yellow fever and dengue [13]. Al Jazeera reported severe shortages of food and tents for survivors [18]. The International Rescue Committee reported that approximately 50,000 people remain missing and that family tracing and reunification efforts are underway [24]. Médecins Sans Frontières described delivering trauma kits to hospitals in La Guaira and Caracas as part of an ongoing needs assessment [14].
Volunteer Francisco Sasquia described the ongoing search for bodies: "We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going. It hasn't been easy" [2]. Victor Colivert, whose nephew was killed, refused to leave his body, saying: "If I have to go to China, to wherever, but I'm not leaving him alone" [2]. Forensic technician Joel Mirabal estimated that 60 to 70 percent of bodies are identifiable by relatives and predicted that mass graves would be necessary, with body collection taking up to three months [3]. A resident identified as July described staying at a collapse site where her son worked, saying "Tôi không nhớ nổi đã bao ngày trôi qua. Tôi không còn tỉnh táo, nhưng sẽ không rời khỏi đây vì biết con trai đang ở đó" (I can't remember how many days have passed. I'm no longer lucid, but I won't leave here because I know my son is there) [7]. Local resident Eli Zavala noted that work began on June 25 to ensure all victims could be buried with dignity [7].
Hundreds of Venezuelans gathered at vigils in Caracas and Maracaibo to honor the dead [4]. Lawyer Imaru Martínez described the vigil as a demonstration of peace and solidarity, saying "No hay palabras para darles consuelo" (There are no words to give them comfort) [4]. Jean Carlos Cariel expressed confidence that unity would bring "una nueva Venezuela" (a new Venezuela) [4]. Attendee Anabella De Turris stated that those who lost everything materially "ganaron una familia entera en un país que los ayudará a reconstruir sus vidas" (gained an entire family in a country that will help them rebuild their lives) [4].
El Salvador's Armed Forces deployed a seventh aid flight with 120 specialists and five tons of supplies to Venezuela [8]. Russia announced it would send tents, food, medicine, and sanitation specialists, with Alexander Shchetinin of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Latin American Department announcing the aid package [16]. Deutsche Welle reported that the European Union dispatched 50 tons of supplies and 5 million euros in humanitarian aid [19].
Migration flows at the Colombia-Venezuela border remained stable after the earthquakes, with no extraordinary increase reported [22]. Economic analyses estimated losses at 1 to 7 percent of GDP, with a $200 million IMF-supported reconstruction fund, while noting limited impact on the oil and gas sector [23].
Foreign rescue teams have begun winding down operations ten days after the disaster [2]. The UN system and partner organizations continue coordinating a multisectoral response with the government, scaling up assistance across the seven affected states [5][9].