Death Toll In Venezuela Reaches 1,430, Over 68,900 People Still Missing

The death toll in Venezuela continues to rise.

Authorities in Venezuela report 1,438 people have died as a result from the recent back to back earthquakes that rocked the country.

That number is unfortunately expected to rise as 68,900 people are still reported missing.

AP reported more on the death toll in Venezuela and the rescue efforts that are currently taking place:

Tensions flared Saturday as desperation grew in Venezuela’s state of La Guaira as rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors and the death toll rose sharply to 1,430.

Families reported at least 68,900 people missing Saturday, three days after the one-two punch of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes devastated the South American nation.

Venezuelans looking for loved ones and neighbors used shovels, heavy equipment, ropes and bare hands atop mounds of toppled concrete throughout La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit states. They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams who began to climb through the rubble, offering a small glint of hope to anguished families.

Tensions peaked over what many Venezuelans viewed as an inadequate response by the government, whose soldiers, firefighters, police and military cadets were evidently underprepared to respond to the scope of the tragedy. Frustration was amplified by efforts to project the image of a robust state response.

Aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours as crucial for retrieving people alive, though that can be extended if they have access to food and water. Venezuelan officials said 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 rescue team members had touched down by Saturday.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently shared a video of a U.S. plane arriving in Venezuela to deliver aid to the country:

🇺🇸🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/8U5tVlEl9o

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) June 27, 2026

The Department of State released a video of an American rescue team saving a baby from the rubble:

Against impossible odds, hope endures. 🇺🇸

American search and rescue teams rescued an infant from beneath the rubble following the earthquake in Venezuela. Every life saved is a victory. pic.twitter.com/PcFayXEqNP

— Department of State (@StateDept) June 27, 2026

Miami-Dade Fire’s search-and-rescue K9 teams have also joined the search:

Miami-Dade Fire’s elite search-and-rescue K9 teams have deployed aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 to assist rescue efforts in earthquake-ravaged Venezuela, where more than 1,400 people have died, 243 have been rescued, and over 68,000 remain missing. pic.twitter.com/5L4GhEa6PE

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 28, 2026

NPR reported the U.S. has pledged $150 million to U.S. non-profits that will conduct rescue missions in Venezuela:

The U.S. has announced what appears to be one of its strongest responses to a natural disaster since the dismantling of its premier aid agency, USAID.

Speaking to the press during his trip to the Gulf, Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised: “We have a whole-of-government response. It’ll be big; it’ll be fast; and it’ll be effective.”

The U.S. effort includes a commitment to allocate $150 million to faith-based aid groups like Samaritan’s Purse and Catholic Relief Services, and two United Nations agencies: the World Food Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In addition, the U.S. is deploying a Disaster Assistant Response Team and two search and rescue teams from Virginia and California to help with locating survivors. The Virginia team will include 80 people and 6 dogs. The California team includes 70 people and 6 dogs.

The administration has also tapped the Pentagon to help with getting U,S. government staff and critical supplies into the country, as some of the airport infrastructure in Venezuela has been damaged.

El Salvador has also joined in the rescue efforts:

Después de 86 horas de estar atrapada bajo los escombros, y luego de 11 horas de intenso trabajo, hemos logrado rescatar con vida a Belkys Josefina Barreto García, de 60 años, quien permaneció bajo los escombros del edificio Breogan, en Caraballeda.

Este logro fue posible… pic.twitter.com/OKt5dAKgmr

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) June 28, 2026