Aftershock Rattles Venezuela, Panic Grips Citizens Amid Humanitarian Crisis

A strong aftershock rattled northern Venezuela on Monday morning local time, triggering renewed panic among residents still reeling from twin earthquakes that unleashed a severe humanitarian crisis five days ago. The US Geological Survey recorded the aftershock at magnitude 4.6, whilst Colombia’s geological survey measured it at 5.1. Tremors were felt strongly in the capital, Caracas, and the devastated port city of La Guaira, prompting the temporary closure of several Caracas metro lines as a safety precaution. Although National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez stated there were no immediate reports of new damage, the sound of earthquake sirens sent terrified residents fleeing into the streets. “I was sleeping when the shaking woke me up. It felt almost as strong as the earthquake on Wednesday, even though I didn’t feel the other aftershocks,” said Amarelis Mendoza, a resident of the El Hatillo district in Caracas. Distressing scenes were evident at Parque del Este, where hundreds of families who lost their homes have been forced to erect emergency tents. “Life is worth more than anything,” said 35-year-old Katiuska Asuaje, who fled her home in Bello Campo with her four children. “We didn’t want to wait for the house to collapse on us because one of the concrete roof slabs had already come loose.” The government faces sharp criticism over the slow pace of its disaster response. Official figures indicate that 5,034 people were injured and nearly 800 buildings were severely damaged by the twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes the previous week. As search operations continue for tens of thousands still missing, looting has begun to break out at supermarkets and pharmacies in La Guaira due to a lack of supplies. Despite the critical 72-hour window having passed, a glimmer of hope emerged on Sunday when rescue teams successfully pulled a man and his teenage son alive from the rubble. “Today we have rescued people alive, and for that reason, these efforts will not stop,” declared Interim President Delcy Rodríguez. International aid continues to arrive, with 24 countries dispatching 521 tonnes of supplies and more than 2,700 rescue personnel. The United Nations estimates that 6.76 million people have been affected by the disaster and require emergency assistance, with total physical losses reaching US$6.7 billion. In response, the United States announced it has doubled its aid package to US$300 million to support medical, food, and sanitation recovery efforts in Venezuela.