Wednesday was a dark time for Venezuela. Two consecutive earthquakes — measuring 7.5 and 7.2 grades in the Richter scale — shook the country in the span of just one minute, followed by 30 aftershocks in the ensuing hours, leaving nearly 200 dead and over 1,500 injured.

La Guaira state suffered the worst reported damage so far, with dozens of buildings collapsing or sustaining severe structural damage. The situation has forced hundreds of people to abandon their homes and sleep in the streets or in temporary shelters, driven by fear of aftershocks and a tsunami warning that had been issued.

The disaster disrupted communications and international air travel between Europe and Venezuela; airlines operating the Madrid-Caracas route — including Iberia, Air Europa, and Plus Ultra — canceled flights scheduled for Thursday following the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía.

Solidarity with the Venezuelan people was immediate. Pope Leo XIV sent €100,000 in emergency aid, while European and regional leaders — such as Chilean President José Antonio Kast — also pledged humanitarian assistance.

Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on X: “Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones, the injured, and the brave rescue workers laboring tirelessly in the aftermath.”

He further emphasized that the U.S. administration “stands with the Venezuelan people during this difficult time, and, by order of President Trump, the State Department is immediately deploying search-and-rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian aid to Venezuela.”

Meanwhile, on the ground, civil society is mobilizing to assist victims and their families. Speaking for this article, evangelical pastor Amilcar Márquez Reverand reported that the Fruto de la Vid (Fruit of the Vine) Christian Center, which he leads, has set up a collection point in Caracas to receive humanitarian aid for affected families.

The collection point, located at the Seguros La Paz Center, is receiving and distributing bottled water, non-perishable and canned foods, medical supplies and medications, and personal hygiene items. They are also collecting diapers for children and adults, tents, sleeping mats, flashlights, helmets, gloves, shovels, pickaxes, debris bags, wheelchairs, and walkers.

“Every bit of help counts and can make a difference for those who need it most right now,” believes Pastor Márquez Reverand. “Together, we can be a source of hope amidst the crisis.”

In exclusive images of the devastation shared for this article, the evangelical leader tours part of the Altamira neighborhood, where debris from damaged buildings can be seen lying in the middle of the street.

Believers across the Hispanic world are also mobilizing to support the many people affected.

In a statement, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) detailed that the organization is already on the ground supporting those affected during this difficult time. “They are in our hearts, and we place ourselves at their service,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Samaritan's Purse announced the dispatch of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, and medical care equipment, among other forms of assistance. Its president, Franklin Graham, also called on believers to pray for the victims and for the volunteers who will be serving in the South American nation.

The toll of the earthquakes compounds a situation already marked by the inefficiency of the socialist system that has governed Venezuelan politics and the economy since the beginning of the century. Although monthly inflation has decreased compared to the start of the year, the annualized inflation rate remains above 600% — one of the highest in the world.