Delcy Rodríguez welcomes Guyana’s solidarity, support after deadly earthquakes devastate Venezuela

…as Guyana extends helping hand Venezuela

Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has expressed gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali after he extended solidarity and support to the neighbouring country following two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday.
The earthquakes, a magnitude 7.2 followed immediately by a magnitude 7.5, struck the northern coast of Venezuela, collapsing homes and other buildings. Rescue teams have been deployed to the quakes’ epicentres find survivors and recover bodies amongst the widespread destruction.

Based on reports coming out of Caracas on Thursday, the death toll from the two earthquakes climbed to 188 with thousands more reported missing and injured. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that the death toll could be between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
Immediately following the earthquakes on Wednesday evening, the interim Venezuelan President declared a state of emergency in a televised address. Since then, Caracas has been flooded with messages of solidarity and offers of humanitarian aids from several countries and international organisations including Guyana.
On Thursday morning, President Ali took to social media to show support for the neighbouring country.
“As neighbours, we are deeply saddened by the scale, magnitude and destruction caused by the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Caracas yesterday and so far, claiming dozens of lives and injuring hundreds,” he stated.
The Head of State went on to offer Guyana’s support to recovery efforts.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela. As neighbours, we are ready to offer assistance within our capacity. Our love, prayers, and thoughts are with the families of those affected and the people of Venezuela,” President Ali indicated.
His message was seen and welcomed by President Rodríguez, who commended Guyana’s commitment to good neighbourliness in a posted on social media on Thursday.
According to the Venezuelan leader, “We would like to thank Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, for his solidarity and his willingness to offer support to the Venezuelan people during these difficult times. His message conveys solidarity, respect, and a sense of neighborliness toward Venezuelans.”
This show of solidary and support between Guyana Venezuela comes as the two South American neighbours are embroiled in a decades-long border controversy.
The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass – the entire Essequibo region and a portion of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in which nearly 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent have been discovered offshore where production as well as exploration activities are ongoing.
Bank In March 2018, Guyana has approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award which established the boundaries with Venezuela.
After years of judicial processes, the World Court heard the final rounds of oral arguments last month from Guyana and Venezuela on the merits of their respective cases at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICJ is now deliberating on its ruling, which is expected sometime later this year or early 2027.