CARACAS — Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared seven days of national mourning for victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country's northern region, saying the measure honored those who lost their lives and underscored the government's commitment to supporting affected communities as rescue and relief operations continued.
Rodríguez announced the decree in a statement released on July 1, saying the mourning period would begin at 6:00 p.m. local time. "In honor of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days," she said, adding that the government stood with families affected by the disaster and would continue assistance efforts.
The declaration followed twin powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction across parts of the country's north, including areas around Caracas and La Guaira. Authorities said the disaster damaged homes, public buildings and infrastructure, while thousands of emergency workers and volunteers remained engaged in search, rescue and humanitarian operations.
At the time the mourning decree was announced, Venezuelan authorities reported at least 1,943 people had been killed and more than 10,500 injured, while warning that casualty figures could continue to rise as rescue teams searched collapsed structures. Officials said many people had also been displaced by the destruction.
In the weeks following the earthquakes, the confirmed death toll rose substantially. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said on July 11 that 4,333 people had been confirmed dead, more than 16,700 injured and thousands left homeless, while hundreds of damaged buildings required reconstruction or demolition. Authorities also said thousands of people had been rescued during the emergency response and reconstruction planning had begun in the hardest-hit communities.
The government said land had been designated for new housing projects to accommodate displaced residents, with the first homes expected to be distributed as rebuilding efforts gathered pace. International rescue teams and humanitarian organizations have also participated in relief operations alongside Venezuelan emergency services.
The disaster has also prompted criticism from some survivors and opposition voices over the pace and organization of the government's response. Acting President Rodríguez has defended the relief effort, while officials have said reconstruction and assistance programs will continue in the coming months.
Authorities said recovery operations remained focused on assisting displaced residents, restoring damaged infrastructure and advancing long-term reconstruction plans in the affected regions.
