The last few days have felt like an eternity for us in Venezuela. On the evening of June 24, our lives changed in an instant. While much of the world moves on with their routine, many of us here are grappling with the reality of a national emergency that has shaken the very ground beneath our feet.
The Events of June 24

At approximately 6:00 PM local time, northern Venezuela was struck by two powerful, consecutive earthquakes a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed immediately by a 7.5 mainshock. These were not just tremors; they were violent events that lasted long enough to shatter the peace of a typical Wednesday evening. The epicenter was located off the north-central coast, and the impact has been catastrophic.

Reports indicate that at least seven states have been severely affected. Major cities and coastal regions are currently facing a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of lives lost, thousands injured, and many still missing. The destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and transport hubs like the international airport in Caracas, has made the recovery process incredibly difficult.

I live in a city that was also impacted by these events. While our community was spared the absolute worst of the destruction we have dealt with some minor damages and the collective shock that ripples through every neighborhood the atmosphere here is heavy. I consider myself lucky because many people lost their homes, their belongings, their families, and even their lives.

Living through this is a stark reminder of how fragile everything can be. Communications have been intermittent due to widespread power and internet outages, leaving many of us struggling to reach family members or get reliable news. There is a palpable sense of uncertainty, as the ground has continued to tremble with hundreds of aftershocks since the initial event.

However, amidst the chaos, there is an overwhelming spirit of solidarity. Neighbors are checking on one another, sharing what little resources they have, and working together to clear debris or help those whose homes were compromised.

International search and rescue teams have begun to arrive, providing much-needed support to our overwhelmed local emergency services. Despite the tragic scale of this disaster, the resilience of the Venezuelan people remains our most significant strength.

As we continue to navigate this emergency, I wanted to share this so that people outside of Venezuela understand the gravity of what is happening. We are facing a difficult road to recovery, and the world’s attention and support are more vital now than ever.