Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, declared a state of emergency shortly after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, leaving nearly 200 dead, thousands injured, and many missing. Non-essential services and classes have been suspended until further notice. There are power outages in several parts of the country.

Late in the afternoon of this Thursday, June 25, President Lula (PT) spoke by phone with Rodríguez and announced that he will send a field hospital to treat the victims.

From the United States, President Nicolás Maduro – who, along with his wife Cilia Flores, has been held captive since January – expressed solidarity with his people in a message posted on his social media, saying that the country “is going through trials.”

International analyst Amanda Hamury argues that, like Brazil, other countries need to mobilize to jointly build humanitarian aid. She views with suspicion the way the US is trying to position itself as the protagonist in this process.

“Since January 3rd, there has been direct intervention from the United States [in Venezuela]. We continue with a government led by Delcy, who was the vice-president of President Maduro, who is currently being held captive in the United States. This narrative that the United States is cooperating and providing humanitarian aid is now intensifying due to an extraordinary situation. After all, it’s an earthquake, a matter of public calamity, it wasn’t foreseen. So, the United States is occupying this partner role and deepening its presence in Venezuela,” she warns in an interview with Conexão BdF, on Rádio Brasil de Fato.

For Harumy, this context reinforces a situation that has been dragging on since the beginning of the year: the US has imposed its force on the territory, repressing even popular forces. “It’s a hijacked government. Venezuela’s political stances, which always emphasized its anti-imperialist character and denounced US intervention in Latin America and Venezuela, are now mild, friendly, and diplomatic in relation to US intervention, which we know has a direct interest in Venezuela’s riches, especially its oil,” she emphasizes.

“The current situation in Venezuela was already very difficult. Today they are in a state of emergency to save people in the face of this disaster. I remind you once again: the United States is using this moment, this opening, through humanitarian aid to enter and have more influence over Venezuela. I also emphasize that Venezuela has been very isolated internationally,” he states.

Amanda Harumy also believes that Venezuela has a high degree of self-organization capacity “starting from the communes, from the civic militias.” I believe that this Venezuelan movement of brotherhood, of solidarity among the people, will be very present today, as we are witnessing a very sad rescue operation, not only the rescue of people, but of the homeless. The buildings themselves are no longer viable for housing.”

First published by Brasil de Fato in Portuguese.

Zoe. , June 27, 2026

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