Simulations and the illusion of prevention: Is there a true anti-seismic culture in Venezuela?

Recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, which have claimed nearly 5,000 lives and injured over 16,000, have exposed the country's structural vulnerabilities and sparked urgent questions about its seismic safety culture.

Approximately 80% of Venezuela's population resides in areas prone to high seismic activity, situated near major fault systems like Boconó, San Sebastián, and El Pilar. However, a widespread perception exists that the population lacks sufficient training and education on how to respond during an earthquake. Feliciano de Santis, president of the Venezuelan Society of Geologists, points out that in countries where destructive earthquakes occur infrequently, seismic awareness tends to diminish, pushing prevention down the list of public priorities.

De Santis acknowledges that some efforts are made, such as occasional evacuation drills or public recommendations, but these are not part of sustained, long-term policies. He stresses the importance of civil society and strengthened institutions pushing for sustainable policies. Furthermore, he advocates for mandatory seismic education in youth training programs and the implementation of regular, binding evacuation drills. "It must be mandatory," he insists, adding that "there should be compliance with all regulations for buildings, especially educational and hospital facilities."

While many Venezuelans express fear and a sense of poor seismic preparedness following the recent tremors, De Santis argues that the core issue is not just perception but the underlying infrastructure. He questions why hospitals and schools continue to suffer damage during seismic events, given the current state of knowledge and technology. He concludes that addressing seismic safety is a complex, multidisciplinary challenge with many facets.