The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela this week has risen to at least 589, while authorities say at least 2,980 people have been injured and thousands remain missing as search and rescue efforts continue across the affected region, as reported by Fox News.

The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck approximately 120 miles west of Caracas on Wednesday night.

Officials expect the number of fatalities to increase as emergency crews continue searching collapsed buildings and damaged communities.

Devastating: Buildings knocked over like houses of cards or Lego blocks. Venezuela claims only a few hundred dead, but the final death toll may reach tens of thousands!! pic.twitter.com/nvqhhgnKB5

— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) June 26, 2026

The coastal region of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, sustained some of the most extensive damage.

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The area is home to Venezuela's principal airport, which was closed after suffering earthquake damage, complicating efforts to deliver emergency personnel and humanitarian supplies into the region.

Venezuelan state television has aired footage showing rescue crews pulling survivors from collapsed structures. According to The Associated Press, one rescue involved a woman trapped beneath a concrete slab, with only one foot visible before emergency workers were able to free her.

Rescue crews also continued searching damaged buildings throughout the affected areas as emergency responders worked to locate additional survivors.

Unbelievable destruction in Venezuela.

I’m literally speechless watching these videos. Buildings reduced to rubble in seconds. Families trapped. Children crying in the streets. The human toll is devastating. So far, at least 164 are dead, hundreds more injured, and the numbers…— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) June 25, 2026

The Trump administration has activated a government-wide humanitarian response to the disaster, pledging $150 million in assistance and deploying U.S. Navy warships to support rescue and relief operations.

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U.S. Southern Command announced that U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived in Caracas on Thursday to oversee Department of War support for Venezuela's earthquake response.

According to SOUTHCOM, Jarrard is coordinating with Venezuelan officials and international partners to facilitate emergency operations following a formal request for assistance from Venezuela's interim government, led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

"Maj. Gen. Jarrard is serving as the senior U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) official on the ground and is working closely with partners to plan, coordinate, and direct the U.S. military's unparalleled logistical and operational capabilities to support the rapid, life-saving movement of response personnel, equipment, and humanitarian assistance into affected areas," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

The command also outlined how U.S. military assets are expected to assist rescue efforts.

"Assigned U.S. military forces will utilize fixed and rotor wing aircraft to provide specialized mobility services and assist U.S. Government personnel, search and rescue teams, and partners assessing damage and delivering critical life-saving assistance," SOUTHCOM added.

STATEMENT ON U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT TO VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF: As directed by the Department of War, U.S. Southern Command is currently working with the Department of State to support U.S. government relief operations in Venezuela in response to yesterday's devastating… pic.twitter.com/bTH2GlmatB

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) June 25, 2026

As rescue operations continue, authorities are concentrating additional resources in La Guaira, where damage has been particularly severe.

Retired schoolteacher Juan Alberto Mendaño described finding a woman trapped beneath debris while moving through the damaged area.

"May God rescue her as quickly as possible," Mendaño reportedly said.

"When we heard the scream, there was nothing we could do."

Venezuelan officials have begun shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country into La Guaira to strengthen ongoing search operations.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez also appealed to private businesses to make heavy construction equipment available to assist emergency crews clearing debris and searching collapsed buildings.

"We hope to rescue as many living people as possible," Rodríguez added, referring to La Guaira as a "disaster zone."

Hospitals across the affected region have also been impacted by the earthquakes.

Some patients were moved outside damaged medical facilities as authorities evaluated buildings for structural safety while continuing to treat those injured during the disaster.

Search-and-rescue teams remain active throughout northern Venezuela as authorities continue accounting for missing residents.

Emergency officials have warned that casualty figures are expected to change as crews gain access to additional damaged structures and isolated communities.

International humanitarian assistance continues arriving as Venezuelan officials coordinate relief efforts aimed at providing emergency medical care, transportation, shelter, and logistical support to communities affected by the earthquakes.

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