Venezuela's Resilience Tested as Earthquake Death Toll Climbs

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Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 10:06 PM EDT

At least 1,450 people were killed and some 3,150 injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Responders are undertaking "intensive rescue operations," searching for people thought to be under the rubble, Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.

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Jun 28, 2026, 3:31 PM EDT
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Here's how the news is developing.

Jun 28, 2026, 10:05 PM EDT

La Guaira's power 75% restored after deadly earthquakes, acting president says

About 75% of electricity service has been restored in La Guaira state, Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said. The region includes a major port.

"Teams continue working toward full restoration of electrical services in the state, as well as water services, which is at 68%, and roadways, which are about 90% restored, all the transit and circulation, which is very important for rescue operations," she said.

Jun 28, 2026, 6:20 PM EDT

US Southern Command says 100 airmen arrived to help reopen airport

A Contingency Response Element (CRE) that includes 100 US Air Force airmen arrived in Venezuela on Sunday and will help make repairs at Simon Bolivar International Airport -- which serves capital city Caracas -- to make it operational, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

Over the next 24 hours, 130 Marines will arrive at La Guaira to help reopen its port so that it can be used as an entryway for aid, SOUTHCOM said.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jun 28, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT

US Southern Command posts photos of US military personnel in Venezuela

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) posted several photos on X Sunday of U.S. military personnel meeting with Venezuelan officials, including Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard, conducting a survey at the Port of La Guaira.

"The United States stands with the Venezuelan people and has mobilized an unprecedented, large-scale response to support international earthquake relief efforts in the country," the SOUTCOM post said. "The @DeptofWar is supporting the @StateDept-led U.S. response."

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard (center, right) and U.S. military personnel coordinate with Venezuelan officials, June 28, 2026, to conduct a port survey at the Port of La Guaira, Venezuela.
U.S. Southern Command

Jarrard was dispatched to Venezuela on Thursday, the day after the two deadly earthquakes, according to SOUTHCOM.

U.S. Marines with Littoral Combat Force-24 and U.S. sailors from the USS Fort Lauderdale deliver critically needed disaster assistance supplies, June 27, 2026, at La Guaira Port, Venezuela.
U.S. Southern Command

Later Sunday, SOUTHCOM also shared a video on X that it said is from a Venezuelan citizen and which shows U.S. Marines marching past a site to assist search and rescue efforts, featuring someone ff camera say “USA, thank you!”

-ABC News' Cindy Smith

Jun 28, 2026, 3:31 PM EDT

Earthquake death toll rises to 1,450, Venezuelan official says

The death toll has increased to 1,450 from last week's twin earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a government official.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez posted the update to X on Sunday afternoon, adding that the number of injured is 3,150, which is down from the previously offered number of 3,200.

Rescue workers search through the rubble three days after earthquakes struck Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on June 27, 2026.
Fernando Vergara/AP Photo

Some 12,721 people have been displaced by the earthquakes, Rodriguez also wrote, with 774 buildings affected, 189 of which had collapsed, he said.