Twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June have claimed more than 6,000 lives, according to official figures released this week, as the government faces scrutiny over its disaster response efforts.
The death toll from two earthquakes that hit Venezuela in June has climbed to 6,125, according to figures disclosed by lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez on Monday. The official data also indicates that approximately 61,000 people sought treatment at medical facilities following the natural disasters, with recovery efforts still ongoing across affected areas.
Clear progress in debris removal appears limited, with authorities reporting that only 16.5% of the rubble generated by the quakes has been cleared as of the latest update. The relatively slow pace of cleanup operations underscores the scale of destruction across the country.
The government's handling of the disaster response has drawn criticism from various quarters. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who maintains backing from U.S. President Donald Trump according to available reports, has moved to defend the administration's response to the earthquakes. However, observers have raised concerns about delays in military and official personnel arrival at affected sites, questioning whether adequate assistance has reached victims, including those who remained trapped under collapsed structures during the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes.
