Venezuela earthquake death toll nears 5,000 as sanctions hamper recovery

The confirmed death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has risen to 4,930, according to lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez. The United Nations estimates that up to 50,000 people remain missing, with many feared buried under rubble. Approximately 17,000 people have been injured, and 21,120 are currently living in shelters.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck the country within a minute of each other on 24 June 2026, causing widespread building collapses in and around Caracas. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency following initial reports of at least 32 deaths and 700 injuries.

International rescue teams deployed in the immediate aftermath have now departed, shifting the focus to humanitarian relief and rebuilding. However, displaced residents report that the state’s response has been slow, with civilians and independent groups providing the immediate aid. Cinthia Pulido, a Venezuelan displaced by the earthquakes, told Al Jazeera that while civilians responded immediately, the state’s involvement is only now becoming visible.

Experts highlight that US and European sanctions, which have blocked $11bn in Venezuelan assets, are hampering relief efforts. Mark Weisbrot, senior economist and co-director at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, stated that Venezuela is unable to access crucial resources it should legally have. Earlier this week, a group of 14 Democratic lawmakers in the US sent a letter to the White House urging the easing of economic sanctions to aid recovery efforts, citing reports from Spanish newspaper El Pais.

The UN estimates that recovery efforts could cost the country $37bn. The sanctions, which have been in place since 2015, were described by the US lawmakers as severely undermining the country’s response and reconstruction efforts.