Strong aftershock terrifies Venezuelans days after devastating twin quakes

Strong Aftershock Intensifies Fear in Venezuela Amid Ongoing Earthquake Crisis

Strong aftershock terrifies Venezuelans days after - Five days after a pair of catastrophic earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, a new tremor has reignited panic among residents. The 4.6-magnitude aftershock, recorded by the US Geological Survey, rattled Caracas and La Guaira, two of the country’s most critical urban centers. Colombia’s geological agency reported a slightly higher magnitude of 5.1, underscoring the region’s continued vulnerability. The seismic event, occurring just days after the twin quakes that claimed 1,719 lives and left tens of thousands missing, has deepened the humanitarian emergency that has gripped the nation.

Residents of Caracas and La Guaira, still reeling from the devastation, were once again thrust into chaos. In El Hatillo, a district on the outskirts of the capital, Amarelis Mendoza described the experience in a

“I was asleep when the shaking woke me up. It felt almost as strong as Wednesday’s earthquake, even though I hadn’t felt the other aftershocks.”

Her account highlights the lingering anxiety as people grapple with the possibility of further collapses. In the capital’s most severely affected neighborhoods, such as Altamira and San Bernardino, survivors poured onto the streets, abandoning makeshift shelters to seek safety in open spaces.

The quake’s impact has been felt across infrastructure. The Caracas metro, already strained by the initial disaster, faced renewed closures as officials prioritized the protection of weakened structures. In San Bernardino, rescue teams paused operations at the 22-unit Rita apartment building, which had collapsed during the previous week’s quakes, for over an hour and a half following the Monday tremor. The delay underscored the challenges faced by emergency workers in a region where every shake carries the risk of triggering new disasters.

Despite the fresh scare, some signs of recovery have emerged. Businesses in Caracas began to reopen as the new week started, a small step toward normalcy. However, the number of displaced individuals seeking refuge in public spaces continues to rise. Parque del Este, a 200-acre park in the capital’s eastern district, now hosts hundreds of families who have fled their homes, fearing for their safety. For Katiuska Asuaje, a 35-year-old mother from the La Cruz sector of Bello Campo, the decision to leave her home was driven by a concrete roof slab that had already fallen.

“Life is worth more than anything else,” said Asuaje. “We weren’t going to wait for the house to collapse on top of us because one of the concrete roof slabs had already come loose.”

Her words reflect the desperation of many who have turned to temporary solutions, such as tents pitched along sidewalks and makeshift shelters in the ruins of collapsed buildings. The trauma of the disaster has left an indelible mark, with residents reporting heightened stress levels and sleepless nights as they monitor for the next tremor.

The government, criticized for its slow response and inadequate preparedness, continues to manage the crisis. Officials stated that no immediate reports of new damage had been received, though the tremors and the sound of siren alarms have triggered fresh waves of fear. The interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, emphasized the importance of ongoing rescue efforts in a

“Today we have rescued people who are still alive and therefore these efforts will not be suspended.”

Yet, the chances of finding survivors are diminishing, as the search teams focus on the most promising locations.

A Salvadoran rescue worker, speaking to Agence France-Presse, expressed the grim reality of the situation.

“At this point, they are probably dead bodies. Thanks to God maybe we can find people still alive.”

The worker’s comment highlights the growing urgency as time passes and the window for effective rescue operations narrows. According to government data, the twin quakes had already injured 5,034 people and damaged nearly 800 buildings, but the loss of life and missing persons remains staggering. Tens of thousands are still unaccounted for, even beyond the critical 72-hour period for locating survivors after a natural disaster.

The aftershock has also coincided with reports of looting in La Guaira, a city near Venezuela’s main international airport. Much of the area lies in ruins, with pharmacies, supermarkets, and other businesses ransacked by desperate citizens. Residents have criticized the slow and insufficient aid distribution, citing shortages of food and basic supplies. In the Tanaguarena district of La Guaira state, frustration boiled over when a man shouted at soldiers, demanding,

“The country needs you. Put down your weapon.”

His plea symbolized the mounting pressure on authorities to act more decisively.

International teams have joined local efforts to locate survivors, but the work remains arduous. The initial quakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, had already caused widespread destruction, leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. While a recent rescue in La Guaira state offered a glimmer of hope, it also served as a reminder of the dwindling opportunities to save lives. The sustained tremors have not only displaced thousands but also disrupted daily life, with many forced to sleep in the open or in makeshift shelters.

As the nation struggles to recover, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Millions lack access to sanitation and other essentials, while the displaced continue to rely on community support. In La Guaira, neighbors have been providing food to those without resources, a lifeline in the face of prolonged uncertainty. The government’s restrictions on international journalists entering the collapse zones for 48 hours have drawn further scrutiny, with critics arguing that transparency is vital during such a crisis.

The twin quakes have exposed vulnerabilities in Venezuela’s infrastructure and emergency systems. With the aftershock compounding the fear, the population’s resilience is being tested. Yet, the ongoing efforts of search teams and the solidarity of communities offer a faint hope amid the devastation. As the search for survivors continues, the focus remains on ensuring that no one is left behind, even as the scale of the disaster grows more apparent. The road to recovery, though long, is being paved by the determination of Venezuelans and the international community working to support them.