(This story was updated to add new information.)
In its heart if not the ground beneath its feet, South Florida felt the aftershocks from the two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela that left more than 100 people dead and thousands more missing, demolished buildings and damaged airports on the evening of June 24.
Anxious Venezuelans living in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties dialed family members and friends back home, desperately hoping to hear that they had survived. After hours of trying, some found relief. For others, bad news awaited. Many still haven’t heard from their loved ones.
Yolanda Sandoval was taking customer orders at her Greenacres restaurant, Yoly’s Venezuelan Bakery, on June 25 when she saw the first videos of collapsed buildings and people pulling their neighbors from the underneath the rubble in Caracas and La Guaira.
“Our country was not prepared for this tragedy,” Sandoval said in Spanish. “Our people have suffered so much under a dictatorship, and we had hope this year, but after this, I don’t know how Venezuela will recover.”
Sandoval said her restaurant, at Jog Road and 10th Avenue North, will receive donations and partner with a nonprofit to send first aids kits, perishable food and emergency equipment to the nation at the northern tip of South America, about 1,400 miles southwest of West Palm Beach.
“This was the final blow that shattered us,” Sandoval said bursting into tears. “I hope this unites us because Venezuelans have had to learn how to get up and keep fighting, again and again.”
Palm Beach County is home to a vibrant Venezuelan community whose ties to family and friends back home “make this tragedy deeply personal,” said County Commissioner Joel Flores, whose district includes Greenacres and many other neighborhoods that Hispanic immigrants have made their home.
“In moments like these, politics must take a back seat to our shared humanity,” Flores said. “We pray for the safety of those still awaiting rescue, for strength and comfort for the families who have suffered loss, and for the first responders and humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to save lives and begin the long road to recovery.”
The quakes drew an immediate response from President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social that they had “left a devastating number of deaths.”
“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,” Trump wrote. “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!!!”
Venezuela earthquakes stronger than 2010 quake that hit Haiti
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela’s northern coast at 6:04 p.m. June 24, followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor a minute later. They caused buildings to crumble and raised alerts of widespread casualties.
Both were more powerful than the 2010 quake that rocked Haiti, which registered 7.0. They were the strongest earthquakes Venezuela has felt since 1967, when one registered 6.6.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed late on June 24 that at least 188 people were killed, nearly 1,000 others have been injured and 40,000 people have been reported missing across the region. She noted that the number of deaths was expected to rise.
The earthquakes were felt across the country, with the most affected areas including the capital city of Caracas, La Guaira, Carabobo and Falcón, all of them along the nation’s northern coast.
Early photos, videos and reports showed major structural damages, including entire blocks of collapsed apartment buildings, crumbling airports and debris-strewn roadways.
Jeremy Lewin, who is in charge of U.S. foreign assistance, said the Department of State has “already mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to the Venezuelan people.” He added that the U.S. will send search-and-rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources.
The U.S. Southern Command announced it established a planning team that includes experts from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, who are advising staff and leadership responsible for disaster relief. It also is coordinating with other partners and allies in the region to join the international assistance efforts.
“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” said the statement.
South Florida organizations collecting humanitarian aid for Venezuela
Efforts began across South Florida on June 25 to determine the extent of the crisis and how best to help. Below is a list of organizations and restaurants accepting donations:
The most needed items include: first aid kits, bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain-relief medications, flashlights, batteries, solar phone chargers and baby formula.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, whose Broward County district is home to a large Venezuelan population, said her office will assists Venezuelan residents seeking assistance with a loved one who may be injured.
She expressed concern with how swiftly Venezuelan officials were responding and said the earthquakes underscore “the immediate need for a swift democratic transition and accountable institutions in Venezuela,” where U.S. forces intervened to oust former president Nicolas Maduro early this year.
Valentina Palm covers immigration and West Palm Beach for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Venezuela earthquakes shock South Florida. Here’s how you can help
Reporting by Valentina Palm, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Valentina Palm, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
