Two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela within 39 seconds of each other on June 24–25, 2026. At least 188 people were killed and about 1,520 were injured. According to AP News, these were the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2. It struck 23 kilometers southeast of a town called Yumare in Yaracuy state — roughly 160 kilometers west of the capital, Caracas. Just 39 seconds later, a second, stronger earthquake hit nearby with a magnitude of 7.5, according to the USGS. Both earthquakes happened because of strike-slip faulting — imagine two pieces of the earth's crust sliding past each other horizontally, like two blocks rubbing against each other.

Both quakes ruptured along the Boconó fault system, which runs across the Venezuelan Andes mountains. This same fault has caused Venezuela's deadliest earthquakes in history.

What makes these two quakes unusual is how close they came. When two large earthquakes hit nearly at the same time from the same fault, the shaking from both events can overlap and last longer than either would alone. This extended shaking can cause more damage to buildings.

What Happened and the Response

Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, confirmed the death toll of 188 people, with 1,520 injured, according to The New York Times. Those numbers may go up as rescue workers continue searching through collapsed buildings.

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency, according to Reuters. This gives the government power to spend money quickly and officially ask for help from other countries.

On June 25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had spoken directly with President Rodríguez about the disaster, according to the State Department. This phone call was notable because the United States and Venezuela do not have normal diplomatic relations.

Whether the U.S. will actually send aid is uncertain. Venezuela's government has to balance needing help with concerns about what it looks like to accept assistance from a country that has criticized its leadership. This tension will likely shape how relief efforts move forward.

Why This Fault Matters

The Boconó fault has caused Venezuela's worst earthquakes. A massive earthquake in Caracas in 1812 killed thousands of people and weakened the government at that time. Another destructive earthquake hit in 1894. Venezuela's capital, Caracas, has grown much larger since those earlier disasters.

Many buildings in Caracas are newer and better built to handle earthquakes. But some neighborhoods still have older buildings not designed to be earthquake-resistant. The ground itself in some parts of the city is soft and can shake more strongly during an earthquake. That combination — older buildings and softer ground — means even moderate earthquakes can cause serious damage.

What to Watch For

Rescue teams are searching for survivors in collapsed buildings. In the coming weeks, scientists expect more earthquakes to follow — aftershocks that could be magnitude 6 or higher. These aftershocks could make rescue work more dangerous and damage buildings that are already weakened.

The recovery will also involve diplomacy. How Venezuela handles aid offers from the U.S. and other countries will be watched closely. The direct phone call between Secretary Rubio and President Rodríguez shows there's now a channel for conversation, but whether that leads to real cooperation remains to be seen.