Tourist region in Venezuela becomes "war zone" after earthquakes
La Guaira, a state in Venezuela that until a few days ago stood out as one of the most important beach tourist destinations in the country, is now the epicenter of one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit the region.
After the two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, the government declared a disaster zone in La Guaira, which has more than 100 collapsed buildings.
The most affected regions of the state are the districts of Catia La Mar and Caraballeda, according to Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's Interior Minister.
Prosperous city turned "war zone"
What was once a prosperous coastal city with buildings and resorts is now the scene of catastrophe after this week's earthquakes.
Venezuelans who have traveled to Caraballeda have described the scenes there as similar to "a war zone".
Orianna Velásquez, a resident of Caracas, told CNN that she went to the district on Thursday morning (25) to look for her father.
"I didn't expect that," she said, adding that "everything looks like a war scene."
In the images that Velásquez shared with CNN, the building where her father's house was located could be seen completely collapsed. Volunteer rescuers were also seen sifting through the rubble.
Among the city's most important entertainment venues is the Caraballeda Golf & Yacht Club. With its sprawling fields, it has become both a fundraising hub and a place where families await news of their loved ones.
See aerial images of buildings destroyed in Venezuela after earthquakes | CNN BRAZIL
"In light of the recent earthquakes in the region, our absolute priority is to support each of our members, partners and employees at this time. We want to convey a message of tranquility, mutual support and our deepest solidarity with you and your families," stated the club in a press release.
"We also want to inform you that our commitment is to guarantee a 100% safe space in our club and that, in turn, we can provide the necessary support to the entire community of La Guaira and Caraballeda", he added in the statement.
Caraballeda Golf & Yacht Club is organizing a fundraising campaign.
"We need, above all, tools, medicine and water. We already have enough food and water, but EVERYTHING IS WELCOME", the club posted on its Instagram account.
Meanwhile, after the collapse of more than 100 buildings in La Guaira, the Caraballeda Golf & Yacht Club became a shelter for those in need.
On Thursday, the golf club housed more than 100 people, including minors.
Popular location for beaches and gastronomy
Caraballeda is one of the 11 districts that, together with the municipality of Vargas, make up the state of La Guaira (known as Vargas until 2019).
This location, like several other destinations in La Guaira, is popular with visitors for its beaches and cuisine, which includes coffee and seafood.
The city is located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Photos from before the earthquake show tall buildings and modest homes.
The beaches of Caraballeda contribute to the increase in tourism in La Guaira. In April, during Holy Week 2026, the state received more than 1.7 million visitors, exceeding by more than 52% the number of visits recorded in the same period of the previous year, according to official data.
"There is no greater satisfaction than seeing families enjoying the sun, our cuisine, the warmth of our people and all of this in maximum safety", said José Alejandro Terán, governor of La Guaira, after Holy Week.
For Caraballeda, and for La Guaira in general, fishing is one of the most important productive activities for its inhabitants, becoming a fundamental driver of the country's economy.
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Source: CNN