WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25 (ANI) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered immediate American assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, as U.S. government scientists warned that the death toll could potentially range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States was prepared to provide support following the disaster.
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!” Trump wrote.
The warning came as Venezuelan authorities provided limited details on casualties more than five hours after the twin earthquakes struck. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed fatalities during a televised address but did not announce an official death toll.
According to reports, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a potential death toll between 10,000 and 100,000 shortly after the disaster through its Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquake Response (PAGER) system.
Vashan Wright, a geophysicist at the University of California, San Diego, said the system rapidly evaluates factors including earthquake magnitude, depth, location, population density, historical earthquake patterns, and building conditions to estimate possible impacts.
“Essentially, what it does is take all known knowledge about the magnitude, depth, location, population density, historical earthquakes, and building inventory and makes a prediction for what might be expected,” Wright said.
He added that PAGER estimates are often close to the eventual confirmed toll.
Meanwhile, the United States has begun mobilizing emergency assistance for Venezuela. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had been activated to coordinate relief operations.
“The State Department has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people,” Lewin said in a post on X.
“Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies, and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster,” he added.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures following the earthquakes.
According to the USGS, the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck near San Felipe, approximately 284 kilometers (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 10:04 p.m. GMT on Wednesday.
It was followed shortly afterward by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Yumare, located about 293 kilometers (182 miles) west of the Venezuelan capital.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS said.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that she would address the nation regarding the situation.
“Attention: Shortly I will address Venezuelans to report on the situation following the strong earthquake that has affected our country,” Rodríguez said in a post on X.
India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.8, with a depth of 15 kilometers.
In a post on X, the NCS said the quake occurred at 3:34:32 a.m. IST, with its epicenter located at latitude 10.451 degrees north and longitude 68.352 degrees west in Venezuela. (ANI)
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