The Canadian government is advising citizens to avoid all travel to Venezuela in the wake of catastrophic twin earthquakes that struck the country’s northern coastline this week, causing widespread damage and death.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira only seconds apart on June 24, resulting in the collapse of numerous buildings, displacing thousands of residents while placing intense pressure on local emergency services.
Official reports indicate at least 920 fatalities and more than 3,360 injuries, but thousands more have not been accounted for.
A state of emergency is in effect in Venezuela, and the Canadian advisory notes that aftershocks could still occur, causing further damage to infrastructure. …