Experts Urge Stronger Building Safety in Venezuela After Earthquakes

Following earthquakes in Venezuela during June, specialists from Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama are calling for enhanced construction safety standards across Latin America. The seismic events have reignited discussions on reducing risks and preparing cities for major earthquakes. During a seismic engineering conference at Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua (USMA), experts stressed the importance of prevention, research, and strict adherence to building codes. While acknowledging advancements in scientific knowledge and technical tools, they noted the persistent challenge of translating this expertise into safer infrastructure and better-prepared communities. "The earthquakes that occurred on June 24 remind us that seismic risk remains one of the greatest challenges for Latin America," stated Dr. Luis A. Pinzón, USMA's Director of Research. He emphasized that improved understanding of seismic phenomena must be coupled with concrete actions to mitigate vulnerabilities. The experts highlighted the need for ongoing study of seismic threats and constant updates to design regulations. They also pointed out that ground conditions can significantly influence how structures respond to seismic activity, a factor that must be rigorously incorporated into designs. Furthermore, they stressed that building safety relies not only on initial plans but also on construction quality, the design of non-structural elements, and compliance with current standards. "This earthquake also leaves a very clear lesson: it is not enough to have good design codes. It is essential to guarantee their compliance through rigorous inspections during construction, evaluation programs for existing buildings, and adequate oversight by the competent authorities," Pinzón added.

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The earthquakes that occurred on June 24 remind us that seismic risk remains one of the greatest challenges for Latin America.