Venezuela declares 7-day national mourning after quakes kill 1,943
Synopsis
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez has declared seven days of national mourning after the 24 June earthquakes killed at least 1,943 people and injured more than 10,500. With La Guaira under military control and Portugal also mourning 71 of its nationals killed, the disaster has taken on a stark international dimension — and the toll may not be final.
Key Takeaways
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning effective 2 July , honouring victims of the 24 June earthquakes.
The official death toll stands at at least 1,943 , with more than 10,500 people injured.
La Guaira state has been placed under full military control of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces to support rescue and security operations.
Rescue teams are active in Caraballeda , Macuto , Los Corales , and Catia La Mar .
Portugal declared a national day of mourning for 5 July ; 71 Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent were killed, including 11 children , with 71 more missing.
Venezuela's Portuguese-descent community is estimated at 1.2 million , the second-largest Portuguese diaspora in Latin America.
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning on Wednesday, 2 July, honouring the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June. The death toll from the twin quakes has climbed to at least 1,943, with more than 10,500 people injured, according to the latest official figures.
Mourning Decree and Official Statement
'In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days, starting at 6:00 p.m. today,' Rodriguez said in a statement posted on social media. She added that 'Venezuela's soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes,' pledging to 'accompany and protect' those affected by the tragedy.
Scale of the Disaster
The 24 June earthquakes caused widespread destruction across Venezuela, with the coastal state of La Guaira among the hardest-hit regions. Rescue personnel are concentrated in the localities of Caraballeda, Macuto, Los Corales, and Catia La Mar, all of which suffered severe damage. The scale of casualties — nearly 2,000 dead and over 10,500 injured — makes this one of the deadliest seismic events in Venezuela's recent history.
La Guaira Under Military Control
Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced last week that La Guaira state had been placed under military control to support rescue operations and maintain security. 'We want to tell everyone that La Guaira state is now fully militarised and fully under the control of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces,' he said during a televised briefing. The measure, ordered by acting president Delcy Rodriguez, is aimed at facilitating the work of both Venezuelan emergency responders and international rescue teams.
Portugal Declares Mourning for Its Diaspora
The Portuguese government separately declared a national day of mourning for Sunday, 5 July, in solidarity with Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent killed in the quakes. According to Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the death toll among this community has risen to 71, including 11 children, with another 71 people still missing. The Portuguese community in Venezuela is estimated at around 1.2 million — including those of Portuguese descent — making it the second-largest Portuguese diaspora community in Latin America after Brazil.
International Response and What Comes Next
The dual mourning declarations by Venezuela and Portugal underscore the international dimensions of the disaster. With rescue operations still active across multiple affected zones and a significant missing-persons count, the death toll could rise further in the coming days. Attention now turns to the adequacy of relief coordination under military administration and the pace of international humanitarian support reaching survivors.
Point of View
Security-first control. Whether that accelerates or complicates humanitarian access remains an open question. The Portuguese dimension also highlights how Venezuela's prolonged economic crisis has embedded large diaspora communities across Europe, meaning disasters here carry diplomatic weight well beyond the region. With nearly 2,000 confirmed dead and rescue operations still active, the final toll and the adequacy of the relief response will be the real test of this administration's crisis management.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have died in the Venezuela earthquakes?
At least 1,943 people have died and more than 10,500 have been injured following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June , according to the latest official figures. Rescue operations are ongoing and the toll may rise.
Why has Venezuela declared national mourning?
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning starting 2 July to honour the victims of the devastating 24 June earthquakes. She described the losses as having 'torn Venezuela's soul.'
Why is La Guaira under military control?
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced that La Guaira state was placed under the full control of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces to facilitate rescue operations and maintain public order in the worst-affected areas. The measure was ordered by acting president Delcy Rodriguez.
Why did Portugal also declare a day of mourning?
Portugal declared a national day of mourning for 5 July because 71 Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent were killed in the Venezuela earthquakes, including 11 children , with another 71 still missing. Venezuela hosts one of the largest Portuguese diaspora communities in Latin America, estimated at around 1.2 million people.
Which areas of Venezuela were worst affected by the earthquakes?
The coastal state of La Guaira was among the hardest-hit regions. Rescue operations are concentrated in the localities of Caraballeda , Macuto , Los Corales , and Catia La Mar , all of which sustained severe damage.
