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TRAGEDY STRIKES - There are moments in a nation's history that remain marked forever. On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6:03 PM, Venezuela lived through one of those moments. In a matter of seconds, the earth shook Caracas and struck La Guaira with devastating force, an area many Venezuelans now describe as Ground Zero of this tragedy.
As a Venezuelan who has lived in the United States for many years, that day I felt a pain so immense, so raw, that I never thought I would experience it in my lifetime. Physical distance disappears when the land where you were born is suffering. Every news report, every image, and every survivor's how do you spell tragedy?testimony has deeply wounded the hearts of Venezuelans living in Venezuela, in the United States, and across the world.
The most verified figures available at this moment point to a tragedy of enormous proportions: more than 1,700 confirmed deaths, more than 5,000 people injured, nearly 16,000 left homeless, and tens of thousands of people still missing or whose whereabouts have not yet been confirmed. These numbers may continue to change, but behind every figure there is a name, a family, a story, and an entire country in mourning.
Thousands of families have lost loved ones, homes, memories, and everything they built over a lifetime. Yet in the middle of this pain, we have also seen the extraordinary courage of the Venezuelan people. In Caracas, La Guaira, and other affected areas, men and women, young people, adults, and the elderly began removing rubble from the first moments - often with few tools, and sometimes with their bare hands - searching for a sign of life amid dust, silence, and desperation.
This tragedy has also revealed the noblest face of humanity. Among the first countries reported to have sent rescue teams, technical assistance, specialized personnel, or humanitarian aid were El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, the United States, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Colombia, and many other nations. International reports have indicated that more than thirty countries have contributed rescuers, search dogs, medicines, food, emergency equipment, and logistical support.
Each plane landing near La Guaira represented far more than material assistance. It represented light inthe middle of darkness. It represented the embrace of the world for a people who needed to know they were not alone.
I also want to recognize, with deep emotion, the Venezuelan diaspora. From more than eighty countries, thousands of Venezuelans began organizing collection centers, donation campaigns, and shipments of food, medicine, clothing, medical equipment, and essential supplies. Venezuela also lives in the hearts of those of us who had to build our lives far away, but who never stopped feeling it as home.
As a Venezuelan citizen, I must say this clearly: in my opinion, the Venezuelan government has acted with profound indifference in the face of this tragedy and has shown unacceptable inefficiency in responding to an emergency of this magnitude. I also maintain, as my personal position, that Venezuela suffers the consequences of an imposed government disconnected from the real suffering of its people. At a time like this, no authority should stand above the urgent duty to save lives, coordinate assistance, and protect the most vulnerable.
That is why my appeal is to the world: please do not stop looking toward Venezuela. When the cameras move on and the headlines fade, thousands of families will still need food, clean water, medicine, shelter, medical attention, emotional support, and help rebuilding their lives.
Those who wish to support this humanitarian cause can learn about and assist the work of HEVENF - Help for Venezuela Foundation, an organization dedicated to channeling aid to the most vulnerable populationsin Venezuela and within the Venezuelan community in the United States. More information:
Venezuela will rise again. It will do so because of the strength of its people, the love of millions of Venezuelans inside and outside the country, and the solidarity of a world that chose to extend its hand when we needed it most.
Today is not a time to forget. Today is a time to help. Today is a time for hope. Thank you, Venezuela.
Thank you, world.
(Luis Medina is the founder and president of UNO Productions, a Los Angeles-based live event production, talent management, and multicultural marketing company serving the U.S. Hispanic market for more than four decades. He has produced major television specials, festivals, and marketing campaigns while working with leading entertainment companies and international artists.)
Sources consulted / Fuentes consultadas
Reuters, June 29, 2026: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/aftershock-hits-caracas-rescue-efforts-enter-critical-hours-venezuela-2026-06-29/
Reuters, June 27, 2026: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-welcomes-1600-foreign-rescuers-urgent-search-quake-survivors-2026-06-27/
UNICEF USA, June 2026: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/venezuela-earthquakes-children-need-help-now
Help for Venezuela Foundation (HEVENF): https://www.hevenf.org/about-5
Venezuela necesita al mundo mas que nunca
Hay momentos en la historia de un pais que quedan marcados para siempre. El miercoles 24 de junio de 2026, a las 6:03 de la tarde, Venezuela vivio uno de esos momentos. En cuestion de segundos, la tierra estremecio a Caracas y golpeo con especial fuerza a La Guaira, hoy descrita por muchos venezolanos como la Zona Cero de esta tragedia.
Como venezolano que ha vivido durante muchos anos en los Estados Unidos, ese dia senti un dolor tan grande que nunca pense vivir, tan crudo, producto de esta gran tragedia. La distancia fisica desaparece cuando sufre la tierra donde nacimos. Cada noticia, cada imagen y cada testimonio de los sobrevivientes ha golpeado profundamente el corazon de los venezolanos que viven en Venezuela, en Estados Unidos y en todos los rincones del mundo.
Las cifras mas verificadas disponibles hasta ahora hablan de una tragedia de proporciones enormes: mas de 1,700 fallecidos confirmados, mas de 5,000 heridos, casi 16,000 personas sin hogar y decenas de miles de personas que aun no han podido ser localizadas o cuyo paradero no se ha confirmado. Esas cifras pueden seguir cambiando, pero detras de cada numero hay un nombre, una familia, una historia y un pais entero que llora.
Miles de familias han perdido seres queridos, hogares, recuerdos y el fruto de toda una vida. Sin embargo, en medio del dolor, tambien hemos visto el inmenso valor del pueblo venezolano. En Caracas, La Guaira y otras zonas afectadas, hombres y mujeres, jovenes, adultos y ancianos salieron desde el primer momento a remover escombros con pocas herramientas, muchas veces con sus propias manos, buscando una senal de vida entre el polvo, el silencio y la desesperacion.
La tragedia tambien ha mostrado el rostro mas noble de la humanidad. Entre los primeros paises que enviaron equipos de rescate, asistencia tecnica, personal especializado o ayuda humanitaria se han mencionado El Salvador, Republica Dominicana, Argentina, Estados Unidos, Catar, el Reino Unido, Colombia y muchas otras naciones. En total, reportes internacionales han senalado la participacion de mas de treinta paises, con rescatistas, perros de busqueda, medicinas, alimentos, equipos de emergencia y apoyo logistico.
Cada avion que aterrizaba cerca de La Guaira representaba mucho mas que ayuda material. Representaba una luz en medio de la oscuridad. Representaba un abrazo del mundo a un pueblo que necesitaba saber que no estaba solo.Tambien quiero reconocer con profunda emocion a la diaspora venezolana. Desde mas de ochenta paises, miles de compatriotas comenzaron a organizar centros de acopio, campanas de donacion, envios de alimentos, medicinas, ropa, equipos medicos y articulos de primera necesidad. Venezuela vive tambienen el corazon de quienes tuvimos que construir nuestras vidas lejos de ella, pero que nunca dejamos de sentirla como nuestra casa.
Como ciudadano venezolano, debo decirlo con claridad: en mi opinion, el gobierno venezolano ha actuado con una profunda indolencia frente a esta tragedia y ha demostrado una ineficiencia inaceptable para atender una emergencia de semejante magnitud. Tambien sostengo, como posicion personal, que Venezuela padece las consecuencias de un gobierno impuesto y desconectado del sufrimiento real de su pueblo. En una hora como esta, ninguna autoridad deberia estar por encima de la urgencia de salvar vidas, coordinar ayuda y proteger a los mas vulnerables.
Por eso mi llamado es al mundo: no dejen de mirar hacia Venezuela. Cuando las camaras se apaguen y pla noticia deje de ocupar los titulares, miles de familias seguiran necesitando alimentos, agua potable, medicinas, refugio, atencion medica, apoyo emocional y ayuda para reconstruir sus vidas.
Quienes deseen colaborar con esta causa humanitaria pueden conocer y apoyar el trabajo de HEVENF - Help for Venezuela Foundation, una organizacion dedicada a canalizar ayuda para las poblaciones mas necesitadas de Venezuela y de la comunidad venezolana en Estados Unidos. Mas informacion:
Venezuela volvera a levantarse. Lo hara gracias a la fortaleza de su gente, al amor de millones de venezolanos dentro y fuera del pais y a la solidaridad de un mundo que decidio extender su mano cuando mas la necesitabamos.
Hoy no es tiempo de olvidar. Hoy es tiempo de ayudar. Hoy es tiempo de esperanza. Gracias, Venezuela.
Gracias, mundo.
Luis Medina
