Venezuela Inspects Over 30,000 Buildings After Major Quake; World Bank Estimates $19.6 Billion in Damage

Venezuelan authorities have completed technical inspections of more than 30,000 buildings across the country in the wake of a devastating double earthquake. The inspections are part of the "Venezuela Renace" habitability program.

Presidente Encargada Delcy Rodríguez reported that buildings were categorized using a color-coded system: green for unaffected, yellow for minor structural issues, and red for severe damage requiring further assessment for reconstruction or demolition. Over 12,000 yellow-coded homes are actively being repaired.

The official toll from the earthquakes stands at 5,546 deaths, 16,740 injured, and 17,907 displaced. Authorities have identified 856 buildings with various damages and 190 structures that have completely collapsed.

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those classified at level yellow, those that do not present failures in their main structures, are being "actively intervened" for their repair

Separately, the Venezuelan College of Engineers conducted independent reviews of over 8,000 buildings. Rafael Argotti, a board member, stated that over 70% of examined structures were habitable, with 25% requiring caution or deemed uninhabitable. Inspections will prioritize areas in Caracas with older infrastructure and high population density.

The World Bank issued a preliminary estimate of $19.6 billion in direct physical damage to national infrastructure. The international organization warned that the pace of reconstruction would significantly impact Venezuela's economy over the next decade.

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more than 70 percent of the structures examined by its specialists were habitable, while 25 percent were classified under "habitability with caution" or "not habitable."