State of Emergency in Venezuela After Two Earthquakes
Maiquetía Airport serving Caracas closed due to damage
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez pidió calma y unidad.
HAVANA TIMES – Venezuela’s acting leader, Delcy Rodríguez, announced on Wednesday that Maiquetía International Airport, which serves Caracas, has been closed after suffering severe damage from two earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 that struck a central region of the country.
Five hours after the earthquakes shook the nation, Rodríguez delivered a public address declaring a state of emergency. The extent of the material damage has not yet been quantified, and no official figures have been released regarding injuries or fatalities.
During her address, she urged the population to remain calm and united, and appointed Major General Juan Ernesto Sulbaran Quintero, Commander General of the Bolivarian National Guard, as the sole authority in charge of managing the emergency.
Rodríguez also announced the activation of an Emergency Command, composed of Sectoral Vice President Diosdado Cabello; Juan Jose Ramirez, head of the services sector; Hector Rodriguez, in charge of the social sector; and Calixto Ortega, responsible for the economy.
She reported that the Civil Protection system immediately began rescue operations and ordered the evacuation of all infrastructure affected by the earthquakes.
Among the reported impacts, Rodriguez said that the domestic gas distribution system had been shut down and that water service had been disrupted in several parts of the country. She also announced the suspension of Metro and railway services and confirmed that schools will remain closed for the next several days.
Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the messages of solidarity received from foreign governments and international organizations, specifically mentioning the United States, Qatar, Jordan, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, and the United Nations.
She also called on healthcare workers to report to their workplaces.
Rodriguez confirmed that Simon Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía remains closed due to severe infrastructure damage and stated that 20 aftershocks have been recorded so far.
According to the official report, Caracas experienced the collapse of several buildings, while the states of Miranda and La Guaira were heavily affected. Rodriguez confirmed that the entire public and private healthcare network has been activated to treat the injured, although she did not provide an official casualty report.
First published in Spanish by Efecto Cocuyo and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.
They should look for Nicolas Maduro to fix the situation.