Death toll from Venezuela quakes rises to 3,535 as thousands remain displaced

CARACAS — The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has climbed to 3,535, authorities said Monday, with nearly 18,000 people still homeless more than a week after the powerful tremors struck the capital and nearby coastal communities.

Top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said the latest official figures show 16,740 people were injured, while 17,854 lost their homes following the June 24 earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 and struck within seconds of each other.

The updated figures highlight the scale of the disaster in Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where the destruction was most severe. Criticism has also intensified over the government's response to the disaster.

Venezuela's social vice presidency said at least 12,800 people are staying in 80 temporary shelters across Caracas and La Guaira.

Health experts have warned that overcrowded shelters could lead to serious public health concerns.

Dr. Mauricio Cerpa Calderon, an adviser to the Emergency Operations Center of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, said temporary shelters created after earthquakes often face problems such as poor ventilation, limited access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and improper food and waste management.

He said authorities should prioritize preventing respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin diseases, wound infections, dengue, and vaccine-preventable diseases, including tetanus, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez defended the government's response despite growing public frustration. Many Venezuelans have described the emergency response as delayed and inadequate, while humanitarian organizations, including the International Rescue Committee, have also criticized the government's handling of the crisis.

Rodriguez said security forces were deployed immediately after the earthquakes and announced the creation of a new military unit to strengthen disaster response efforts in future emergencies.

In La Guaira on Monday, Reuters witnesses saw trucks transporting coffins as forensic teams worked alongside heavy machinery digging burial trenches in an open area marked with white crosses.

The Ministry of Communication and Information did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Photos published by Spanish newspaper El Pais showed some graves identified with names, while others were marked only with numbers.

Cerpa said PAHO and the World Health Organization have supported authorities by providing technical guidance for managing victims' remains, supplying body bags, and facilitating three refrigerated containers at the Port of La Guaira, along with two crematoriums in other locations.

The United Nations said it continues to expand humanitarian assistance in coordination with the Venezuelan government.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said search-and-rescue teams remain deployed in affected areas, while additional engineering and medical teams continue to arrive to support relief operations.

National health authorities are also assessing the need for targeted vaccination campaigns in temporary shelters based on health risks, vaccine availability, and national guidelines, Cerpa said. -Reporting by Deisy Buitrago and Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington; Writing by Kylie Madry and Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Daina Beth Solomon and Matthew Lewis/Reuters