Twin earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 25, 2026, leaving more than 50,000 people reported missing or unaccounted for weeks later.

The back-to-back quakes hit near Yaracuy state west of Caracas and devastated areas including La Guaira and parts of the capital. Government officials reported a death toll that climbed past 1,400 by late June, with more than 3,200 injured and thousands left homeless. The U.S. Geological Survey had estimated the potential for over 10,000 deaths.

Rescue efforts involved local volunteers digging by hand alongside international teams from Mexico, El Salvador, and elsewhere. Families posted missing-person notices and used opposition-promoted websites to list the unaccounted. Officials noted that many buildings in the region were vulnerable due to construction issues.

Criticism mounted over the government's response, with residents complaining of limited heavy equipment and slow official presence in hard-hit zones. The United States pledged $150 million in aid along with sanction relief. The quakes exacerbated Venezuela's existing economic and infrastructure challenges.

Foreign nationals were among the victims and missing, including citizens from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, China, and the United States. Power outages and access issues complicated recovery in the affected coastal and urban areas.

By early July, the confirmed death toll exceeded 1,700 in some reports, though the full scale of missing persons remained unclear as searches continued into the summer.