Xi Sends Condolences to Venezuela After Deadly Quake
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday following a catastrophic twin-earthquake sequence that has claimed at least 920 lives in the South American nation, state media reported. Xi expressed China’s readiness to provide assistance for disaster relief and reconstruction, marking Beijing’s swift diplomatic response to one of the deadliest seismic events in Venezuela’s history.
The Earthquake
On June 24, a Mw 7.2 foreshock struck near San Felipe, Yaracuy, at 18:04 local time, followed just 39 seconds later by a Mw 7.5 mainshock — the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900, according to the US Geological Survey. The doublet sequence, caused by ruptures along the San Sebastián Fault system, unleashed violent shaking that lasted approximately two minutes and was felt as far away as Colombia, northern Brazil, and several Caribbean islands.
As of June 27, at least 920 people have been confirmed dead, more than 4,500 injured, and over 50,000 reported missing. The USGS PAGER system estimated a 43% probability that the death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000 as search and rescue operations continue in remote areas.
Xi’s Condolence Message
In his message addressed to Rodriguez, Xi mourned the deceased and expressed sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and those injured on behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xinhua News Agency reported. “China stands ready to provide assistance to Venezuela in disaster relief and reconstruction,” Xi said, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the Venezuelan government, the Venezuelan people will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.
The message was prominently featured on the front page of People’s Daily and carried by all major Chinese state media outlets, signaling the importance Beijing places on its strategic partnership with Caracas.
Chinese Humanitarian Response
China’s response has been multi-layered. At a regular press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that the Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China will provide emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela for earthquake relief. “We stand ready to offer more support as the disaster response progresses,” Guo said.
Guo also confirmed that seven Chinese nationals had died in the earthquakes. The Chinese Embassy in Venezuela is working to verify the safety of all Chinese nationals in the affected zones.
Joint Rescue Operations
Beyond government-level aid, Chinese-funded institutions in Venezuela have been actively involved in on-the-ground rescue operations. Under the coordination of the Chinese Embassy, rescue personnel from several Chinese enterprises arrived at collapsed residential buildings in Caracas, working alongside Venezuelan emergency authorities to dismantle unstable structures and search for survivors, according to CCTV News.
The federation of Chinese associations in Venezuela mobilized to source generators and heavy-duty cutters for local rescue teams, successfully helping to rescue a young girl originally from Guangdong Province.
Analysis and Implications
Sun Yanfeng, director of Latin American Research at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that China’s humanitarian aid represents “solid, substantial backing” for Venezuela, particularly given the country’s limited national capacity to respond to the disaster. “It also showcases the commitment and sense of responsibility China upholds as a major developing country,” Sun said.
The swift response — encompassing government aid, Red Cross assistance, enterprise-level rescue operations, and community mobilization by overseas Chinese — reflects China’s comprehensive approach to disaster diplomacy and reinforces Beijing’s narrative as a reliable partner for developing nations.
International Response
At least 17 countries have sent personnel to assist in rescue efforts. The United Nations has mobilized 25 international teams with 1,000 personnel, while the International Federation of the Red Cross dispatched emergency supplies from its regional hub in Panama. The international community continues to coordinate long-term recovery plans as Venezuela grapples with the scale of the devastation.
What’s Next
As search and rescue operations continue, the death toll is expected to rise significantly, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. The scale and duration of China’s reconstruction assistance to Venezuela remain to be determined, as does the broader impact of the disaster on Venezuela’s fragile economy and China’s investment projects in the country.