Venezuela earthquake death toll tops 5,100 amid reconstruction push
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has surpassed 5,100 as the country begins a long and costly reconstruction process. Authorities confirmed 5,119 deaths on Saturday, up from 5,069 reported a day earlier. The number of injured remains at 16,740, while nearly 20,000 people have been displaced, most of them living in temporary camps across La Guaira state.
The Venezuela earthquake has become one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s recent history. Recovery efforts continue as emergency services work to restore essential infrastructure and support affected communities.
The government announced that it had secured $346 million from its reserves at the International Monetary Fund to support reconstruction projects. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the funds will be directed toward housing, public infrastructure, and critical services for families impacted by the disaster.
The release of the funds followed weeks of negotiations between Venezuelan authorities and IMF officials. Venezuela holds roughly $4.8 billion in IMF assets, including reserve tranche resources and Special Drawing Rights. The withdrawal represents a significant step in the gradual normalization of relations between Caracas and the international financial institution after more than two decades of limited engagement.
Criticism has intensified over the military’s response during the first days after the disaster. A Reuters investigation published on July 18 reported that delayed orders from senior commanders, shortages of basic equipment, and operational confusion slowed rescue efforts following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes.
According to sources involved in the crisis response, civilian volunteers led many rescue operations during the first 48 hours using basic tools while some military units remained inactive awaiting deployment orders. The investigation also highlighted the impact of years of economic hardship on military readiness, with limited resources available for equipment and emergency operations.
The earthquakes struck on Army Day, when many personnel were off duty. Reports also pointed to overlapping responsibilities between military and civilian authorities, contributing to confusion during the emergency response. Rodríguez rejected allegations of mismanagement, stating that 4,000 personnel were deployed immediately and dismissing claims of operational failures.
International support has continued to grow. The United States eased sanctions on transactions linked to earthquake relief shortly after the disaster, allowing such activities through October 23. Washington’s overall commitment has exceeded $386 million, including military logistical assistance and contributions to United Nations humanitarian operations.
Venezuela has also intensified efforts to access frozen overseas assets to finance reconstruction. Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto called on countries holding Venezuelan assets to release them for recovery projects. Rodríguez separately appealed to King Charles III to facilitate the release of approximately $4.2 billion in Venezuelan gold reserves held at the Bank of England.
The United Nations estimates total losses from the earthquakes at $37 billion, equivalent to around 32 percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product. The scale of the destruction underscores the immense financial and logistical challenges facing the country as it seeks to rebuild communities, restore services, and support thousands of displaced residents.
