Venezuela interim president says no social unrest expected after twin earthquakes
Quick Look
- Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, stated there will be no social unrest following twin earthquakes that killed over 3,300 people and left thousands missing.
- The disaster, one of Latin America's worst, caused widespread destruction, leaving over 17,000 homeless and an estimated $6.7 billion in damages.
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Why It Matters
Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction, over 3,300 deaths, and leaving thousands homeless. The UN estimates $6.7 billion in damages.
Venezuela’s interim president said on Sunday the country would not descend into social unrest after the twin earthquakes which killed more than 3,300 people and left thousands more missing.
One of Latin America’s worst earthquake disasters, the June 24 shocks collapsed scores of buildings, leaving thousands homeless, especially in the coastal La Guaira area north of the capital Caracas.
“There will be no social unrest here, what we have here is deep social solidarity,” Delcy Rodriguez said during a military ceremony marking the country’s independence day.
On Sunday, the death toll had risen to 3,342 with more than 16,700 injured in the disaster, according to updated official figures.
With nearly 200 buildings totally collapsed, most of them in La Guaira, more than 17,000 people have been left homeless and are sleeping in shelters and temporary camps.
The government has not given any figure for those still missing, but the UN estimates that as many as 50,000 people may still be unaccounted for after the shocks. The UN estimates the quakes caused US$6.7 billion in damage – equivalent to 6 per cent of Venezuela’s GDP.
Open Questions
- What is the exact number of missing persons?
- What are the long-term recovery plans?
- How will the economic damage be addressed?
