Trump pledges US aid for Venezuela quake; as USGS projects quake death toll reaching 100,000

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) offered immediate American assistance to Venezuela after two massive earthquakes struck the country, with the US government scientists warning the death toll could potentially range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “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!!!”

The warning comes as Venezuelan authorities have released few details about casualties more than five hours after the twin earthquakes struck. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, in a televised address, confirmed fatalities but did not provide an official death toll. State media outlets have also offered limited information on the scale of the destruction.

According to Al Jazeera, the US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a potential death toll of between 10,000 and 100,000 shortly after the disaster using its Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquake Response (PAGER) system.

Vashan Wright, a geophysicist at the University of California, San Diego, told Al Jazeera that PAGER rapidly analyses factors including earthquake magnitude, depth, location, population density, historical earthquake data and building inventories to estimate likely impacts.

“Essentially, what it does is takes 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, in many cases, the PAGER prediction “is quite close” to the actual toll.

Meanwhile, the United States has begun mobilising emergency assistance for Venezuela. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force have already been activated to coordinate relief efforts.

The @StateDept has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people. Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and… https://t.co/mZ2Wo4WsyN

— Senior Official Jeremy Lewin (@UnderSecretaryF) June 25, 2026

In a post on X, Lewin said, “The @StateDept has already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people. 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.”

According to CNN, emergency response teams have been deployed to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures following the earthquakes. The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was hit by two powerful earthquakes that struck the same area on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

According to the US Geological Survey, the first earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck near San Felipe, about 284km (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT. It was followed almost immediately by a magnitude 7.5 quake near Yumare, about 293km (182 miles) west of the capital. “High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS said.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake hit the country at a shallow depth of 15km. In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 6.8, On: 25/06/2026 03:34:32 IST, Lat: 10.451 N, Long: 68.352 W, Depth: 15 Km, Location: Venezuela.” (ANI)