NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
president Donald Trump said late Wednesday that two strong earthquakes that struck Venezuela had caused a “devastating number of deaths” as officials continued to assess the scale of the disaster.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez later said the earthquakes had killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700, marking the country’s first official death toll.
Trump’s comments came after Venezuela was rocked by multiple earthquakes earlier on Wednesday, causing widespread damage, including in the capital Caracas, where buildings were damaged and rescue workers searched through the rubble.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the two “massive” earthquakes caused widespread devastation.
Players and fans flee the stadium as powerful earthquakes occur during a baseball game in Venezuela
First responders guard a damaged building in Los Palos Grandes, Caracas, after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Venezuela and the Caribbean on June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
“The two major earthquakes that have just struck the great people of Venezuela are both massive in magnitude and have resulted in a devastating death toll,” Trump wrote.
Trump said that United States was prepared to assist with the ongoing response.
“The United States is ready, willing and able to help!” said Trump. “I have directed all agencies of our government to quickly prepare for action. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
Trump added that the initial reports from Venezuela were “not good.”
Rescue workers search the rubble after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)
According to the USA Geological surveyAn initial magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred at 6:04 p.m. ET, with its epicenter approximately 15 miles (24 km) east-northeast of San Felipe.
Just 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 quake struck, with the epicenter about 22 kilometers southeast of Yumare.
“High casualties and extensive damage are likely, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS said in a rare alert.
TRUMP WARNING DIRECTLY TO VENEZUELA’S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ AFTER THE MADURO CUP
Rescuers search for victims in a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas on June 24, 2026. (Manaure Quintero/AFP via Getty Images)
Officials said the earthquakes were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century.
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency on Wednesday following the earthquakes, which were followed by nearly two dozen aftershocks.
In a televised address later in the day, Rodríguez urged Venezuelans to remain calm.
“We call on our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez said. “We call for unity.”
VENEZUELA DETAILED ALL KNOWN AMERICAN DETAINEES AFTER CAUGHT MADURO AND TAKEOVER OF THE GOVERNMENT
On Thursday, Rodríguez announced that at least 32 people had been killed and more than 700 others injured in the earthquakes.
“We call on our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez said. “We call for unity.”
US Representative Foreign Minister Christopher Landau wrote on X that American officials were in contact with Venezuelan authorities and were working to provide aid to the South American country.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado has an urgent message for President-elect Donald Trump
An ambulance drives through the street of the Parque Central urban development complex in Caracas, Venezuela, after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the region on June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
“The United States stands with the people of Venezuela following tonight’s devastating earthquakes,” he wrote. “We are in contact with the authorities and are mobilizing help.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it was monitoring developments following the strong earthquakes.
“The U.S. government is closely monitoring the aftermath of a large earthquake in Venezuela,” the office said in a statement.
Emergency services work at the site of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, June 24, 2026. (REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
“We express our deepest condolences to the victims and are committed to supporting the Venezuelan people during this difficult time,” the statement continued.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The office also encouraged U.S. citizens in Venezuela to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and monitor embassy updates.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
