Venezuela marks one month since earthquake with silence and remembrance

Candles flickered and bells tolled across Venezuela as the nation paused for a minute of silence to remember victims of a devastating earthquake exactly one month prior. At 6:04 p.m. on July 24, the precise moment the ground shook on June 24, families and communities both within Venezuela and abroad observed the moment of remembrance.

The call for a candlelit vigil and a minute of silence, originating on social media, resonated deeply with thousands of Venezuelans. The initiative aimed to "accompany the bereaved, honor memory, and sow hope," with a request for church bells to ring nationwide during the silent tribute. Several masses were held on Friday afternoon, dedicated to commemorating the anniversary of the seismic events.

In Caracas, an ecumenical service at Plaza Francia de Altamira in Chacao, organized by the local mayor's office, included the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de Chacao and the Coro Ángel Sauce. Attendees joined the minute of silence, a solemn observance. Meanwhile, at the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Rector Víctor Rago emphasized the institution's humanitarian duty to support recovery and reconstruction efforts following the earthquakes, with UCV also observing the minute of silence.

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, led official commemorations that coincided with celebrations for Simón Bolívar's 243rd birthday and the 203rd anniversary of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo. During the solemn event, Rodríguez called for a "moment of silence" in honor of the earthquake victims, a gesture that echoed the broader national sentiment of unity in the face of tragedy. She stated that the disaster had deeply saddened the Venezuelan family. In various parts of the country, citizens read letters addressed to those affected in La Guaira, the state most devastated by the tragedy.

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Un llamado a acompañar a los dolientes, honrar la memoria y sembrar esperanza