2026 Venezuela Twin Earthquakes: Death Toll, Damage, Aid & Key Updates

Infrastructure Damage

The earthquakes collapsed hundreds of buildings, with the worst damage in La Guaira and Caracas . Satellite imagery from June 26 confirmed widespread destruction of residential and commercial structures . The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that at least 1,423 infrastructures were affected, with La Guaira the hardest-hit state .

Caracas Airport Closed Indefinitely

Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, which serves Caracas, was closed indefinitely after suffering severe structural damage, including cracks to its primary runway . Venezuela's civil aviation authority issued a NOTAM closing the main runway (10R/28L) tentatively until July 2, while a secondary runway (9/27) remained operational . Colombia's civil aviation authority also activated a contingency plan after the quakes impacted flight-control and communications systems in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region .

LATAM Airlines Emergency Airlift

LATAM Airlines Group activated its "Avión Solidario" humanitarian program, deploying two freighter aircraft and a special passenger flight from Bogotá to Caracas on June 27 . The airlift transported over 170 rescue and medical specialists from Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, along with nearly 100 tonnes of emergency relief supplies . LATAM Colombia also waived change fees and offered flexible rebooking options for passengers with flights between June 25 and July 1 .

Economic Damage Estimates

Preliminary estimates place total economic damage between US$4.7 billion and US$8.7 billion . The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initially projected losses equivalent to 1% to 7% of Venezuela's $111 billion GDP . Billions more in losses are expected as full assessments continue .

Amuay Refinery Shutdown

Venezuela's largest oil refinery, Amuay — with a capacity of 645,000 barrels per day — was forced to shut down on June 29 due to a power outage that followed the earthquakes . This was the second refinery in the country to lose electricity . Initial reports on June 25 from PDVSA stated no direct seismic damage and that operations were normal , but by June 29 multiple sources confirmed a power transmission line outage in Venezuela's central region had halted operations . While crude exports were said to be unaffected, fuel and petrochemical distribution remained at risk .

International Aid and Response

United States

President Trump authorized "significant financial assistance" and deployed search-and-rescue teams immediately after the disaster . The State Department pledged $150 million in emergency aid, channeled through partners including Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, the World Food Programme, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs . The U.S. deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, two urban search-and-rescue teams from Virginia and California, and military assets including C-17 Globemaster aircraft, MV-22 Ospreys, and CH-47 Chinooks to support relief operations .

Other Nations and Organizations

More than 20 countries deployed military transport aircraft, certified urban search-and-rescue (USAR) teams, and medical capabilities within 48 hours to three receiving airfields: El Libertador Air Base, Maiquetía International Airport, and Arturo Michelena Airport in Valencia . Major responders included Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Canada, El Salvador, Chile, Spain, and the Dominican Republic . The Colombian Aerospace Force was first to deploy, sending two C-130 Hercules aircraft .

Key Caveats

• Fatality and missing-person figures continue to climb as search-and-rescue operations persist.
• The economic damage range is preliminary and subject to upward revision.
• The Amuay refinery shutdown was caused by grid instability rather than direct seismic damage, and it occurred days after the quakes, not immediately.