Venezuela earthquake death toll nears 3,000, government reports

The death toll from recent earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to at least 2,595, according to interim President Delcy Rodríguez. The disaster has left over 12,600 injured and more than 16,000 homeless, with extensive destruction including 189 buildings completely leveled and 855 severely damaged. Among the affected structures are hospitals, bridges, and roads.

The government is initiating a $200 million reconstruction fund, with the International Monetary Fund expected to release the necessary capital. Additionally, an account has been established at the Latin American Development Bank to receive international monetary donations, which will also be directed towards rebuilding efforts.

In the hardest-hit state of La Guaira, nearly all local government officials perished. Rodríguez described the situation as "dramatic." She refuted claims that state agencies failed in their disaster response, asserting that thousands of military personnel and civilian volunteers participated in rescue operations. The president also stated that authorities have identified individuals responsible for spreading disinformation, such as false tsunami warnings, which aimed to exacerbate chaos.

Since the initial earthquakes on June 24, Venezuela has experienced 862 aftershocks. While their frequency and intensity are decreasing, the risk of another significant tremor remains.

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The situation is dramatic.