Written by IPB Council Member and WBW Latin America Organizer Gabriel Aguirre – Caracas, August 5, 2026
Imagine returning home after a holiday and realizing you’ve lost everything: family, friends, acquaintances, your home, everything you once thought would be forever. This was the reality many Venezuelans faced after the double earthquake that struck the country on June 24th. According to experts, these seismic events measured 7.1 and 7.3 on the Richter scale, occurring just 39 seconds apart.
It’s impossible to describe the catastrophic consequences of this natural event. The last major earthquake in Venezuela was in 1967. Almost 60 years later, a more intense earthquake with more dramatic consequences struck. The earthquake primarily impacted three central states located in the northern coastal region of the country: La Guaira, Caracas, and Miranda. Other states were also affected, but to a lesser extent.
At the time of writing this report, more than 6,000 people have died, many are missing, and nearly 6,000 have been rescued from the rubble. Undoubtedly, in the aftermath of the earthquake in Venezuela, we must acknowledge the solidarity of the world, which immediately sent rescuers and humanitarian aid to the country. This, along with the actions of rescue teams, firefighters, and the country’s security forces, allowed for the rescue and care of a significant number of people.
Words cannot adequately express the solidarity of the Venezuelan people. From the very first day after June 24th, millions of people mobilized to help the earthquake victims with selfless, altruistic, and decisive action. Supplies, medicine, food, clothing, and all kinds of aid were provided and continue to be distributed. We, as peace activists, are mobilizing in an organized manner to provide assistance to those who need it most.
Among the countries that mobilized aid was the United States, with the peculiarity that its initial reaction was to send military troops and Southern Command personnel to the country, under the pretext of providing humanitarian assistance in response to the earthquake’s aftermath. This is undoubtedly an important point to analyze the implications of, especially since similar pretexts have been used in the past to justify military occupations, as happened in Haiti in 2010. Those of us who raise the banners of peace must always warn about the risks faced by the peoples of Latin America, because the plans for interference, subjugation, and colonialism remain intact.
The United States announced $300 billion in aid to address the emergency in Venezuela; however, it is currently withholding nearly $20 billion. Furthermore, it is responsible for the shortages faced by Venezuelan rescue teams due to over 12 years of sanctions against the country, the inability to import high-tech equipment, and the lack of funds to provide essential supplies to firefighters and other disaster relief groups.
Without a doubt, the IPB and pacifist organizations raise their voices for peace and demand the lifting of all sanctions against the country. It is time to allow the Venezuelan people the capacity and funds necessary to address this grave emergency.
No more sanctions!
