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Venezuela earthquakes live updates: Death toll rises to at least 589, with thousands injured, acting president says

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

ByKevin Shalvey
Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 9:02 AM EDT

At least 589 people were killed and more than 2,900 were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, officials said on Friday.

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.

Responders are undertaking "intensive rescue operations" on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 25, 2026, 9:09 PM EDT

US 'surging' military assets to assist in Venezuela

U.S. Southern Command said it is "surging" military forces in the region to assist in earthquake relief efforts.

Two U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the Caribbean have been assigned to support the U.S. quake relief operations in Venezuela that are being led by the State Department, the command said.

The amphibious ships USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ships USS Billings are being moved closer to Venezuela to provide assistance.

Residents search for victims through the rubble of a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, about 30 km northwest of Caracas, June 25, 2026, following an earthquake.
Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images

In addition, transport aircraft and helicopters are being sent.

"These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jun 25, 2026, 9:09 PM EDT

Marine general heads to Venezuela to oversee Pentagon support for earthquake relief

U.S. Southern Command is sending U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard to Venezuela to oversee the Pentagon's earthquake relief efforts.

U.S. Southern Command released this photo of U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard is en route to Caracas, Venezuela.
U.s. Southern Command

The Pentagon is supporting efforts by the State Department, which is responsible for U.S. government relief efforts.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jun 25, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

Search and rescue teams from Virginia, California to join effort

The Urban Search and Rescue teams based out of Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, have both confirmed they are mobilizing units as part of the State Department's response to the earthquakes.

The Fairfax team said it is sending 80 people and six dogs to Venezuela, while the County of Los Angeles Fire Department said its team will consist of 71 people and six canines.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Jun 25, 2026, 4:16 PM EDT

State Department mobilizes $150M for Venezuela

The State Department says it will mobilize $150 million in assistance for Venezuela and stand up a task force to coordinate the distribution of that assistance.

Neighbors comfort Gabriela Rojas, center, as she mourns in front of her damaged home, where two of her children died during earthquakes that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

Neighbors carry a man rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building a day after earthquakes struck La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

The Department of Defense is expected to assist in the response by leveraging military assets already in the region and deploying personnel to “accelerate the delivery of life-saving assistance,” the State Department said, adding that it will also leverage aircraft to help U.S. government personnel, the search and rescue teams, and partners get into place so they can "assess damage, find the injured, and deliver critical life-saving assistance."


-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

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