Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency after two strong earthquakes struck central Venezuela on Wednesday [1, 5].
The tremors caused significant panic and structural debris at Maiquetía International Airport, the country's primary gateway, forcing a temporary closure of the facility [1, 4].
The first tremor struck at 5:04 p.m. local time on June 24, 2026 [3, 4]. Reports on the magnitude of the seismic events vary by source. One report cited a magnitude of 7.5 [1], while another noted a second quake at 7.2 [2]. The Colombian geological service reported the first magnitude as 7.0 [3].
Videos from the scene show passengers and staff fleeing the airport terminals as debris fell from the ceilings. The sudden instability created chaos among travelers near Caracas, leading the government to prioritize public safety by halting all flight operations [1, 2].
Rodríguez said the state of emergency was necessary to coordinate rescue efforts and assess the structural integrity of public infrastructure [1]. The government has not yet released a full tally of injuries or casualties, but reports indicate buildings collapsed in some areas [2].
Emergency crews remained on high alert throughout Wednesday evening as the region monitored for aftershocks. The closure of Maiquetía Airport disrupted international travel and logistics, though authorities said the shutdown was a temporary measure to prevent further casualties during the instability [1, 5].
“Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency”
The temporary closure of Maiquetía International Airport and the declaration of a state of emergency highlight the vulnerability of Venezuela's critical infrastructure to high-magnitude seismic activity. With reported magnitudes reaching as high as 7.5, the event underscores the immediate risk to public safety in the densely populated region surrounding Caracas.
