Anadolu staff
25 June 2026•Update: 25 June 2026
Asian leaders on Thursday expressed condolences and pledged support to Venezuela after powerful twin earthquakes devastated parts of the South American country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by the destruction caused by the earthquakes.
"On behalf of the people of India, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families who have lost their loved ones," Modi said through US social media company X.
He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and said India "stands ready to extend all possible assistance" to Venezuela.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his sympathies, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
"On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially the families of the victims," Sharif said on X.
He added that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people during the crisis and prayed for the recovery of those injured.
The Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his sympathies to the Venezuelans.
"On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our heartfelt sympathies. The Philippines stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people during this difficult time and hopes for the safety and swift recovery of all communities affected," Marcos said in a statement.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also expressed sorrow over the losses.
"On behalf of the people and the government ... I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and their homes due to the sudden disaster," Lee said in a statement through US social media company X.
"I hope that you may regain your peaceful daily lives as soon as possible," he added.
Extending "deepest condolences" to the people of Venezuela, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: "Malaysia has every confidence in the courage of Venezuela’s rescue workers as they work against time in the days ahead."
"We trust that the support now being mobilised from across the international community will bring some measure of relief to those who need it most," Anwar said on X.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people had been killed and about 971 others injured in the country's deadliest earthquake disaster in more than a century.
According to seismologists, a 7.2 magnitude foreshock struck near the municipality of San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy state. About 40 seconds later, a stronger 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit southeast of Yumare.
