6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Northwest Venezuela, Tremors Felt in Colombia

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Zulia
• Sep 25, 2025
• 597

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake’s epicentre was located 15 miles (24 km) east-northeast of Mene Grande in Zulia state, about 600 km west of Caracas, at a shallow depth of 7.8 km.

Panic and Evacuations Across Border Areas

The tremors were strongly felt across multiple Venezuelan states and even in parts of neighboring Colombia, prompting residents to rush out of homes and office buildings. Many high-rise structures near the border were temporarily evacuated. However, no immediate damage or casualties have been reported so far.

State-owned television did not interrupt its programming—even during a science segment hosted by President Nicolás Maduro—leaving official acknowledgment muted in the immediate aftermath.

Government Response and Conflicting Reports

About an hour later, Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez addressed the situation on Telegram, citing data from Venezuela’s Foundation for Technological Research. He reported two smaller quakes—a 3.9 in Zulia state and a 5.4 in Barinas state—but made no reference to the 6.2 event confirmed by the USGS.

Quake Near Key Oil Hub

The quake’s epicentre near Mene Grande, on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo, raised concerns given the region’s importance as the heart of Venezuela’s oil industry. With the country holding the world’s largest proven oil reserves, stability in this region is critical for its economy.

Authorities and monitoring agencies are continuing to assess possible aftershocks and infrastructure impacts in the region.