Venezuelan artists and public figures have turned their social media accounts into platforms for solidarity and aid in the wake of the 7.5- and 7.2-magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday and which, according to official figures, have so far left 188 dead, 1,520 injured, and thousands displaced.
Singers, actors, comedians, and TV hosts have shared messages of support, calls for humanitarian aid, and prayer chains in an effort to mobilize their followers both inside and outside the country in the face of one of Venezuela’s greatest recent tragedies.
Singer Ricardo Montaner was one of the first to speak out. “My God, Venezuela… Father, protect your people,” he wrote on social media along with the hashtag #Venezuela. His sons Mau and Ricky also expressed their solidarity with a brief message: “Praying for our country and our people.”
In addition to the messages, the Montaner family launched The House Project foundation to channel aid to the affected areas. Through the organization’s Instagram account, they issued a call for solidarity.
“Venezuela needs us today. When everything seems to be falling apart, love remains,” said the foundation, which is seeking to raise funds to provide food, drinking water, and hygiene kits to those affected.
In a video posted on the organization’s platforms, Ricardo Montaner stated that the tragedy is “urgent and important” and urged people to take action. “Taking action is a way to show what we stand for (…) May God have mercy on this people who love Him, and may we feel the urgency to help those in need,” he said.
Singer Danny Ocean also expressed his support. “Sending strength and many prayers to Venezuela. Today more than ever, let’s stand united,” he wrote on social media.
For his part, comedian Luis Chataing sent “a big hug” to the Venezuelan people and expressed his “heartfelt solidarity with the victims of this tragedy,” while urging everyone to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks.
Influencer Lele Pons used her social media platforms to create citizen support networks and facilitate the coordination of humanitarian aid. In an Instagram post, she asked people to indicate in the comments which areas needed immediate assistance and who was willing to help. “I’m posting this in case you need to reach out for help,” she wrote.
Actress Marjorie de Sousa shared a prayer dedicated to her country. “We come together in prayer for my homeland, Venezuela (…) I beg you to help my people,” she said, asking for “mercy” for those affected.
Actress Gabriela Spanic also posted several videos on her Instagram Stories in which she asked people to pray for Venezuela and appealed for international aid, saying that the country “is not prepared for this kind of tragedy.” Visibly moved, she said she had cried over the situation and stated that Venezuelans “have suffered too much.”
Other public figures, such as Chiquinquirá Delgado, Daniel Elbittar, and TV host Raúl González, shared images of the damage caused by the earthquakes and joined in prayer chains for the victims.
“Lord, protect all Venezuelans. Virgin of Coromoto, cover them with your mantle. Do not forsake my country,” González wrote.
As rescue efforts and the search for survivors among collapsed buildings continue, social media has become a key tool for coordinating aid, sharing information, and keeping hope alive among Venezuelans affected by the tragedy.
The death toll rose to 188 and the number of injured to 1,520, while at least 346 structures—including buildings, hospitals, and shopping centers—were damaged, according to a report Thursday by the president of the National Assembly (AN, Parliament), Chavista Jorge Rodríguez.
The parliamentary leader explained that, so far, there are 2,927 affected families, 157 reported missing, 200 people trapped, 250 damaged buildings, and eight affected hospitals—”some of which have had to be evacuated”—without specifying the number.
Following the two earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 on the Richter scale on Wednesday, 138 aftershocks had been recorded as of 12:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. GMT) on Thursday, prompting the government to declare certain areas, including La Guaira, as “disaster zones,” according to Agencia EFE.