The deposed president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, sent a message to his country from prison following the earthquakes that hit several regions on Wednesday afternoon (24).
In his name and that of his wife, Cilia Flores, also detained in the United States, where both face charges of drug trafficking and weapons possession, which they both reject, Maduro released the message on his Telegram account, in which he expressed solidarity with Venezuelans and called for “national unity”.
“Today, the word is one: maximum union, maximum solidarity and maximum action. May no one be alone, may each community take care of its children, its elderly and its sick, and may we all support the work of the PNB (Bolivarian National Police), the FANB (Bolivarian National Armed Force), civil protection, doctors, firefighters, workers and volunteers”, he said.
“In this difficult time, we call for national unity, serenity and concrete love: to help, protect, share, lift and rebuild. Venezuela has already faced great trials and from this we will also emerge strengthened, with faith, discipline and solidarity. Our hearts and our prayers are with you. May God bless and protect Venezuela!”, concluded Maduro’s message.
Maduro, who assumed the presidency of Venezuela in 2013, was captured on January 3 in a US military operation in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. He and Cilia Flores have since been taken to New York, where they face criminal proceedings. After the capture of Maduro, on an interim basis.
Earthquake in Venezuela
One on Wednesday (24), causing the collapse of buildings in Caracas.
According to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 7.5. It occurred just 40 seconds after a 7.2 magnitude precursor tremor hit the region.
According to the United States Tsunami Warning Centers, there was a possibility of dangerous tsunami waves occurring in coastal areas located less than 300 kilometers from the epicenter. The alert was canceled some time later.
The earthquake occurred 23 kilometers northwest of Yumare and 24 kilometers from the city of San Felipe. Some of the country’s largest refineries are located in this area.
