When the earth shook in Venezuela, hospitals resisted thanks to their staff

Venezuela's central-northern region was struck by two powerful earthquakes on June 24, 2026, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, triggering aftershocks and collapsing essential services. In the days following the initial impact, rescue efforts have transitioned to clearing debris and attending to the affected population, with casualty figures still being updated.

The disaster exposed the nation's neglected infrastructure and lack of investment. It also tested the resilience and solidarity of Venezuelans. Health centers, already struggling with a persistent structural crisis, immediately became focal points for the emergency. The Dr. Victorino Santaella Ruiz Hospital in Los Teques vividly illustrated the disaster's scale.

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It was not a normal shift, but the longest night of their lives.

A nurse recounted the terrifying moments during the quake on the ninth floor, describing visible cracks, falling objects, and the fear of collapse. Staff improvised under immense pressure in an overwhelmed ground floor, providing care amidst a "terrible" scene. Driven by dedication, they attended to patients and even assisted in births in makeshift areas, working with limited water and supplies, relying on emergency power.

This intense period, described as the longest night for the staff, involved a deep emotional toll. While professionally attending to strangers, they grappled with anxiety about their own homes and families. Days later, the hospital operates for emergencies with relative calm, but normalization is incomplete. Only one elevator functions, and while civilian donations have eased shortages and no major structural damage was found, the lingering effects are evident. A strong odor from the morgue now affects the hospital, a stark reminder of the earthquake's ongoing impact. The disaster compounds Venezuela's prolonged economic, institutional, and social crisis, marked by corruption allegations and a weakened state capacity. Transparency International consistently ranks Venezuela among the most corrupt nations. The emergency also coincides with a six-month public absence of Nicolás Maduro, prompting calls for political transition.

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The strong odor coming from the morgue is what now affects the hospital, an alarming sign that the ravages of the earthquake are still being dragged.