Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 589 as US military aid arrives

The death toll in the catastrophic series of earthquakes that shook Venezuela this week has risen to at least 589; At least 2,980 people were injured and thousands more were missing when U.S. military leadership arrived in Caracas to coordinate relief efforts.

The death toll is expected to rise on Friday after back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, about 120 miles west of Caracas.

Venezuelan state television aired dramatic rescue footage, including a woman trapped under a cement slab, the Associated Press reported; these images showed him walking out only barefoot until the crew managed to get him out alive. The injured, including children and animals, were seen being removed from the dust and blood-covered rubble.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived in Caracas on Thursday “to oversee the War Department’s support for Venezuela earthquake relief efforts,” U.S. Southern Command said in a statement overnight.

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SOUTHCOM’s announcement comes as the Trump administration has mobilized a government-wide humanitarian response, pledging $150 million in aid and deploying U.S. Navy warships to assist with life-saving rescue operations.

SOUTHCOM said in a statement that Venezuela’s interim government, led by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, had formally requested American assistance. “Major General Jarrard serves as U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) senior official in the field and works closely with partners to plan, coordinate and direct the U.S. military’s unique logistical and operational capabilities to support the rapid, life-saving movement of response personnel, equipment and humanitarian assistance to affected areas.” he said.

“Deployed U.S. military forces will use fixed- and rotor-wing aircraft to provide specialized mobility services and assist U.S. Government personnel, search and rescue teams, and partners assess damage and provide critical life-saving assistance,” SOUTHCOM said. he added.

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Response teams are searching for victims in a collapsed building in Caracas, Venezuela, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and 7.5-magnitude aftershock hit the region on June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

The coastal region of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, was the area where the heaviest damage and losses occurred. The country’s main airport is located there and has been closed due to damage, complicating relief efforts.

According to the AP, retired teacher Juan Alberto Mendaño was climbing through debris and passing a body in La Guaira when he noticed a trapped woman and waved for help.

“May God save him as quickly as possible,” Mendaño reportedly said. “When we heard the scream, there was nothing we could do.”

Venezuelan officials said they were directing rescue teams to La Guaira from other parts of the country.

Rodríguez also called on businesses Thursday to have heavy construction equipment ready for rescue operations.

Patients lie in front of a hospital that was evacuated after being damaged by an earthquake in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on June 25, 2026. (Pedro Mattey/AP)

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“We hope to save as many living people as possible,” Rodríguez said, calling La Guaira a “disaster area.” he added.

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and the Associated Press contributed to this report.