Spain joins international relief effort after devastating Venezuela earthquakes

‘Spain and myself offer our full support to the Venezuelan people following tonight’s devastating earthquakes,’ Sánchez wrote on X. ‘Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.’

The Spanish government has placed both its Military Emergencies Unit (UME) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) at Venezuela’s disposal, should they be needed as rescue and recovery operations continue.

According to Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Albares spoke by telephone with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil, to express Spain’s solidarity and formally offer assistance through both AECID and the UME, which is operated by the Ministry of Defence.

The conversation took place shortly before Albares departed for Mexico alongside King Felipe VI for an official visit, with both foreign ministers agreeing to speak again during a stopover in the Dominican Republic to finalise the details of any Spanish assistance.

Yvan Gil later thanked Spain publicly, describing its message as one of ‘fraternity and solidarity’ and expressing the Venezuelan government’s gratitude for the country’s ‘generous offer of assistance’ during the emergency.

Spain is one of several countries to have offered support following the disaster, with governments across the region, as well as the United States and other international partners, pledging humanitarian assistance and search-and-rescue resources.

The disaster unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck just 39 seconds apart, making them among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The twin quakes caused widespread destruction across northern Venezuela, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira and the capital, Caracas, where buildings collapsed, transport networks were disrupted and the roof of Simón Bolívar International Airport suffered major damage.

Officials initially reported at least 32 deaths and more than 700 injuries, but stressed that the figures were provisional because rescue teams had not yet reached some of the worst-affected areas.

By Thursday morning, the confirmed death toll had already climbed sharply as search operations continued. Authorities have warned that many people remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings and that the number of fatalities is expected to rise significantly in the coming hours and days.