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Venezuela earthquakes live updates: US sending search and rescue teams, Rubio says

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

ByKevin Shalvey
Last Updated: June 25, 2026, 2:17 PM EDT

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds of others were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised address.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Emergency responders were undertaking "intensive rescue operations" early on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, Rodriguez said.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
3 hours and 1 minute ago

US Southern Command to support government relief operation

The U.S. Southern Command said it is working with the State Department to support a U.S. government relief operation in Venezuela.

“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” a SOUTHCOM statement said.

Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

People stand before damaged homes following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News’ Luis Martinez

3 hours and 41 minutes ago

Main airport closed until at least Friday

Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela’s main airport in Caracas, will be closed until at least Friday, according to the Interior Ministry.

A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

-ABC News’ Aicha El Hammar

3 hours and 45 minutes ago

More than 25,000 people reported missing

A website set up for Venezuelans to report missing loved ones has more than 25,000 people reported missing.

Patients lie outside a hospital evacuated after it was damaged in an earthquake in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

People walk past a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Manaure Quintero/AFP via Getty Images

While not an official count of those confirmed missing, the website reflects the chaos on the ground as people try to reach family and friends.

The website says more than 1,200 people have been found after previously being reported missing.

-ABC News’ Aicha El Hammar

11:07 AM EDT

American in Venezuela recounts moment earthquakes hit

American Jason Wang said he had just finished hiking in Venezuela and was about to board a cable car when the earthquakes hit.

"The whole building just started shaking. The floor under me was shaking, and then all of a sudden, everyone was panicking," he told ABC News Live. "We were just rushing for the door to exit the building, and none of us knew what was going on until a few minutes afterwards."

Jason Wang, who was about to board a cable car when the earthquakes hit, said he felt a "huge sense of relief" once he was back at his hotel and able to communicate with family.
2:51
'Everyone started panicking': American in Venezuela recounts moment earthquakes hitJason Wang, who was about to board a cable car when the earthquakes hit, said he felt a "huge sense of relief" once he was back at his hotel and able to communicate with family.
ABCNews.com

Wang said locals helped him evacuate off the mountain.

"All of the locals were just so kind," he said. "Some people [were] cutting down the trees that fell on the road to create a tunnel for us to get past, ‘cause there was really no other way to go down a mountain. We had to walk 10 kilometers from the top back to the city center."

Wang said he felt a "huge sense of relief" once he was back at his hotel and able to communicate with family.

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