Venezuela Faces Crisis After Twin Earthquakes Leave 188 Dead and 1,500 Injured

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck on Wednesday night, resulting in at least 188 fatalities and over 1,500 injuries, according to authorities. The earthquakes caused significant damage to hundreds of buildings, prompting rescue teams to search for individuals trapped under the rubble.

In response to the disaster, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency and toured the affected areas. The Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas is currently closed due to earthquake damage, complicating relief efforts.

The United States has pledged $150 million in aid, which includes $50 million for humanitarian organizations and $100 million for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Additionally, a Disaster Assistance Response Team is being deployed to assist with search and rescue operations.

International condolences have poured in, with Italy confirming the death of an Italian-Venezuelan dual national in the earthquakes. The Italian Foreign Ministry has promised to send emergency personnel and military support to aid in the recovery efforts.

As the situation develops, aid groups warn that the earthquakes may further strain Venezuela's already fragile economy and government services, which were struggling even before the disaster.