Venezuela Declares State of Emergency Following Two Major Earthquakes

Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.2, struck the central region of the country on June 24, 2026.

Key points

• The seismic events, described as a 'seismic doublet,' occurred with a 39-second interval near the municipality of Montalbán in Carabobo state.
• President-in-charge Delcy Rodríguez announced the suspension of classes and non-essential activities to facilitate emergency response efforts.
• The Maiquetía International Airport, serving Caracas, was closed due to significant structural damage.
• Local authorities in the Chacao municipality reported building collapses and ongoing search and rescue operations for potential victims.

Why it matters

The dual earthquakes have caused widespread infrastructure damage and critical service disruptions, prompting a national emergency response in Venezuela.