Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Venezuelans observe silence one month after deadly tremors
Venezuelans across the quake zone and in Caracas held a minute of silence Friday to honor victims of the tremors that struck the country one month earlier.
Dozens of rescue volunteers and relatives searching for family members paused their work at a destroyed building in Tanaguarena, in La Guaira, for the tribute. Before the silence at 6:04 pm, or 2204 GMT, a woman recited prayers and held rosary beads in front of a makeshift altar with toys and stuffed animals.
The tremors, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck on June 24. They killed almost 5,400 people and injured almost 17,000. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed and more than 23,000 people were left homeless.
Social media posts had called on Venezuelans to join the moment of silence. The tribute took place around the worst-hit state of La Guaira and in squares across Caracas.
Families and friends are still searching for loved ones under the wreckage.
Update
The minute of silence took place at 6:04 pm, or 2204 GMT.
Dozens of rescue volunteers and family members paused at a destroyed building in Tanaguarena, La Guaira.
The June 24 tremors were reported at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.
The tremors killed almost 5,400 people, injured almost 17,000 and left more than 23,000 people homeless.
A makeshift altar with toys and stuffed animals was present before the tribute.
Families and friends continued searching for loved ones under wreckage.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 22:45:02 UTC.
Update
The minute of silence was held across the quake zone and in Caracas.
The tribute honored victims of the tremors that struck the previous month.
AFP journalists observed the tribute.
Social media posts had called on Venezuelans to join in.
The tribute took place in several areas, including at a decimated building in La Guaira and in squares across Caracas.
The source describes La Guaira as the worst-hit city.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 22:22:01 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source does not say how many people remain missing.
Source
AFP news report published on .