The British government has condemned Venezuela’s handling of a catastrophic earthquake that struck the country’s northern coast on Tuesday, accusing the socialist administration of Nicolás Maduro of abandoning its citizens. The 7.3-magnitude quake, centred near the port city of Puerto Cabello, has left an estimated 2,500 people dead and thousands more injured. International aid efforts have been hampered by what London describes as a “staggering failure of governance.”
In a statement released by the Foreign Office, the UK’s Minister for the Americas, David Rutley, said: “The Venezuelan authorities’ response to this disaster has been grossly inadequate. While rescue teams from allied nations stand ready to assist, the Maduro regime has prioritised political propaganda over saving lives. This is a humanitarian crisis compounded by incompetence.”
The earthquake struck at 4:47 a.m. local time, collapsing hundreds of poorly constructed buildings in densely populated areas. Witnesses reported that emergency services failed to mobilise for hours. Hospitals, already crippled by years of economic mismanagement and shortages, were overwhelmed. In Caracas, the capital, power and water outages have persisted for days.
The UK has pledged £5 million in emergency aid and offered logistical support, including the deployment of Royal Navy vessels. However, the Venezuelan government has yet to accept formal assistance. Instead, state media has focused on Maduro’s televised address from a bunker, in which he blamed “imperialist forces” for the disaster and claimed the quake was triggered by US military experiments.
The earthquake is the latest symptom of Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic collapse. Under Maduro’s rule, the country has experienced hyperinflation, mass emigration, and a breakdown of public services. The ruling Socialist Party has consistently denied any mismanagement, framing all crises as foreign-orchestrated attacks.
International observers have warned that the death toll could rise sharply as aftershocks continue and search efforts are hampered by corruption and lack of equipment. The British government has called for an independent inquiry into the disaster response. “The Venezuelan people deserve transparency and accountability, not propaganda,” Rutley added.
The disaster also raises broader questions about regional stability. The UK, alongside the United States, has maintained sanctions against senior Venezuelan officials. The government’s failures in this crisis are likely to intensify calls for a political transition.
