Written by Michael Thervil

[Earthquake Venezuela Japan] As climate change continues to affect people worldwide, Venezuela was struck yesterday by two powerful back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter Scale. La Guaira, which lies north of Caracas, suffered the most severe damage, with multiple buildings collapsing and trapping people beneath the rubble. Thousands of Venezuelans are currently feared dead and/or seriously injured, and authorities quickly declared a state of emergency. U.S. President Donald Trump pledged financial and humanitarian aid, saying on Truth Social that the United States is “ready, willing, and able to help.”

In East Asia, northern Japan was also struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. The eastern coastal city of Iwate was affected after weeks of minor tremors, including a weeklong series of earthquakes last December. Although no casualties were reported, Iwate residents remain cautious while moving through the city.

Going back to Venezuela, at least 32 people have been confirmed dead. According to the PAGER system, there is a 14% chance the death toll could reach 10,000 and a 17% chance it could reach 100,000. The back-to-back earthquakes struck as Venezuela continues to face severe, decades-long U.S. economic sanctions. The damage of the two earthquakes could affect an estimated 7% of Venezuela’s GDP. Following the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife by U.S. authorities earlier this year, interim President Delcy Rodríguez now faces the enormous challenge of addressing and finding a solution to Venezuela’s socioeconomic crisis while rebuilding the country infrastructure after the earthquakes.

It should be noted that The Dominican Republic, China, Brazil, and Qatar have sent rescue teams to Venezuela.