Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 5,119 as Recovery Continues

As officials in Venezuela have warned, the death toll from last month's pair of earthquakes continues to rise. The death toll now stands at 5,119, with more likely to be confirmed as the recovery effort continues. Here is the latest on what is happening in Venezuela.

Venezuela Death Toll Continues to Climb, Sending Country Into Deeper Crisis

The 7.2-and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that rattled Venezuela on June 24 were the most powerful that the nation had seen in over 100 years. In addition to the tragic death toll in the thousands, the natural disaster has been blamed for over 16,700 injuries.

The impact goes far beyond the casualties. According to Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, over 21,470 people are sheltering in makeshift camps, while another 17,907 are without housing.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced last week that the government is set to accept $346 million in emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund. This money will be used to support the impacted families with housing and other critical needs.

Venezuela's latest crisis comes at a time when the country is struggling to get back on its feet. The nation has been the target of devastating economic sanctions by the U.S. due to its corrupt government. While former President Nicolas Maduro was recently ousted, Venezuela is still rebuilding after years of oppression.

Some U.S. politicians believe that now is the time to lift these sanctions. Just a few days ago, a group of 14 Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to remove the sanctions during this time of great need in Venezuela. The group noted that "These economic restrictions are severely hampering urgent relief efforts, and will continue to threaten Venezuela's recovery and long-term reconstruction if allowed to remain in place," demanding that Trump immediately release Venezuela's frozen assets.

The authors of the letter detailed that "The June 24 earthquakes were unpreventable natural disasters, but the U.S. government's far-reaching economic sanctions and asset freezes that have severely undermined the country's response and reconstruction efforts are man-made and avoidable."

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.