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President Donald Trump said precocious Wednesday that 2 powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela had caused what he described arsenic "a devastating number of deaths" arsenic officials continued assessing nan grade of nan disaster.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez later said astatine slightest 32 group were killed and much than 700 were injured successful nan earthquakes, marking nan country's first charismatic casualty figures.
Trump's comments came aft back-to-back earthquakes rocked Venezuela earlier Wednesday, causing wide damage, including successful nan superior of Caracas, wherever buildings were damaged, and rescue crews searched done rubble.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said nan brace of "massive" earthquakes had caused wide devastation.
PLAYERS, FANS FLEE STADIUM AS POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES STRIKE DURING VENEZUELA BASEBALL GAME
First responders be a damaged building successful Los Palos Grandes, Caracas, aft a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Venezuela and nan Caribbean connected June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
"The 2 awesome earthquakes that conscionable deed nan awesome group of Venezuela are some monolithic successful standard and person near a devastating number of deaths," Trump wrote.
Trump said nan United States was prepared to assistance pinch nan ongoing response.
"The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and capable to help!" Trump said. "I person instructed each agencies of our authorities to get fresh to move quickly. We will beryllium location for our caller and awesome friends."
Trump added that early reports from Venezuela were "not good."
US RENEWS 'DO NOT TRAVEL' ALERT OVER TERRORISM, KIDNAPPING AMID TRUMP NARCO-TERROR FIGHT
Rescue workers hunt done nan rubble aft an earthquake successful Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)
According to nan U.S. Geological Survey, an first magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck astatine 6:04 p.m. ET, pinch its epicenter astir 15 miles east-northeast of San Felipe.
Just 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 quake struck pinch its epicenter astir 14 miles southeast of Yumare.
"High casualties and extended harm are probable, and nan disaster is apt widespread," nan USGS said successful a uncommon reddish alert statement.
TRUMP ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO VENEZUELA'S NEW LEADER DELCY RODRÍGUEZ FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE
Rescuers hunt for victims successful a collapsed building pursuing an earthquake successful Caracas connected June 24, 2026. (Manaure Quintero / AFP via Getty Images)
Officials said nan earthquakes were among nan strongest to onslaught Venezuela successful much than a century.
Rodríguez declared a authorities of emergency Wednesday aft nan earthquakes, which were followed by astir 2 twelve aftershocks.
In a televised reside later that day, Rodríguez urged Venezuelans to stay calm.
"We impulse our organization to stay calm," Rodríguez said. "We impulse unity."
VENEZUELA RELEASES ALL KNOWN AMERICAN DETAINEES FOLLOWING MADURO CAPTURE AND GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER
On Thursday, Rodríguez announced that astatine slightest 32 group had been killed and much than 700 others injured successful nan earthquakes.
"We impulse our organization to stay calm," Rodríguez said. "We impulse unity."
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote connected X that American officials were successful interaction pinch Venezuelan authorities and moving to present assistance to nan South American nation.
VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER MARÍA MACHADO HAS URGENT MESSAGE FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP
An ambulance drives done nan thoroughfare astatine Parque Central municipality improvement analyzable successful Caracas, Venezuela, aft a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck nan region connected June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
"The U.S. stands pinch nan Venezuelan group successful nan aftermath of this evening's devastating earthquakes," he wrote. "We're successful touch pinch nan authorities and mobilizing assistance."
The State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it was search developments pursuing nan powerful earthquakes.
"The U.S. Government is intimately monitoring nan aftermath of a ample earthquake successful Venezuela," nan bureau said successful a statement.
Emergency services activity astatine nan tract of a collapsed building aft an earthquake successful Caracas, Venezuela, June 24, 2026. (REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
"We widen our deepest condolences to nan victims and are committed to supporting nan group of Venezuela during this difficult time," nan connection continued.
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The bureau besides urged U.S. citizens successful Venezuela to enroll successful nan Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and show embassy updates.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
