Calgary families seek word of loved ones after Venezuela earthquakes

Venezuelans in Calgary are reeling from two devastating earthquakes that struck Caracas this week, killing at least 164 people and displacing thousands more.

Oriana Paez, 23, frantically called her mother in Caracas after learning of the quakes. After several hours of failed attempts, her mother finally called back—safe but shaken, her apartment destroyed and the complex without electricity. "I was so scared, because I haven't seen her in a long time," Paez said.

The 7.2-magnitude quake followed by a 7.5-magnitude tremor were among the strongest Venezuela has experienced in a century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency estimated high casualties and probable significant damage, with potential fatalities rising into the thousands. Interim president Delcy Rodríguez reported 971 people injured and declared a state of emergency, noting that the electrical grid and water access were affected in several areas. La Guaira, the coastal state near Caracas where the main international airport is located, was hardest hit, with dozens of buildings collapsed.

Canada is providing $5 million in humanitarian aid through trusted partners on the ground. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand acknowledged that the absence of diplomatic ties with Venezuela presented a challenge but said Ottawa is routing aid appropriately by working with other countries and humanitarian organizations. She estimated around 800 Canadians in Venezuela affiliated with Global Affairs.