Major earthquakes devastate Venezuela, killing dozens
Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela near Caracas in quick succession on Thursday, causing widespread destruction and collapsing buildings across the capital. Acting President Rodríguez confirmed at least 32 fatalities and over 700 injuries, though experts warn the death toll may rise significantly as rescue operations continue. The quakes, described by survivors as the strongest they have ever felt, have triggered a major emergency response across affected regions.
As Venezuelans reel from the catastrophic earthquakes, news outlets have compiled eyewitness accounts and visual documentation of the destruction. CNN and BBC reporters on the ground captured images of collapsed structures and interviewed residents who described scenes of panic and chaos. The second quake struck just as rescue workers were beginning to assess damage from the first, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
President Trump escalated tensions on multiple fronts over the Iran war, getting into a shouting match with Republican senators during a lunch meeting and criticizing NATO allies for what he deemed insufficient participation. The Senate meanwhile walked back an earlier rebuke of Trump's handling of the conflict, signaling shifting dynamics within the president's own party. Trump's confrontational approach with both domestic lawmakers and international allies has intensified debate over the direction of US military engagement.
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