The US Geological Survey recorded the first earthquake near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province at a depth of about 12.6 kilometres. The second, measuring magnitude 6.6, struck near Río Grande later the same day.

More than 45 aftershocks were reported as shaking affected central Panama and other areas. The tremors damaged buildings and roads, disrupted electricity in several provinces and prompted authorities to inspect public infrastructure.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said no deaths had been documented by Friday evening. Reports of injuries and structural damage emerged as assessments continued, so the casualty situation remained subject to official updates.

Buildings and roads damaged

Damage was reported in Herrera, Veraguas, Los Santos and other parts of central Panama. Some structures partially collapsed, while cracks appeared in roads and buildings. Historic sites, including the Church of San Atanasio, were also reported damaged.

Authorities began inspections to determine the extent of the damage and whether affected structures could be safely occupied. Visible cracks or partial collapses do not automatically establish that a building is unsafe; those decisions require assessment by qualified officials or engineers.

The earthquakes prompted people to leave buildings and seek safer locations. Officials continued evaluating affected areas as aftershocks followed the main tremors.

The number of aftershocks alone does not establish that a larger earthquake is imminent. Residents should follow official emergency instructions and avoid damaged buildings until authorities declare them safe.

Airport temporarily suspends operations

Tocumen International Airport, Panama’s main international aviation hub, temporarily suspended operations during the emergency before reopening. The disruption prompted concerns about passenger movements and flight schedules while authorities assessed conditions.

The Panama Canal Authority said canal operations continued normally. The canal, a critical route for international shipping, remained operational while safety checks focused on personnel, vessels and facilities.

The distinction is important: the earthquake caused temporary disruption at the airport, but available information did not indicate that the Panama Canal had been closed.

Passengers were advised to check directly with airlines for current schedules and possible changes, as transport conditions can change during post-earthquake inspections.

Tsunami alerts lifted

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake triggered tsunami warnings and alerts for parts of the Pacific coast, including areas in Central and South America. Authorities subsequently lifted the warnings after assessments found that the threat no longer warranted them.

The US tsunami warning system later reported that no tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat remained in effect for the event.

The lifting of the alerts ended the immediate tsunami warning, but it did not remove the need for continued monitoring of earthquake-related damage and aftershocks.

Emergency response continues

The earthquakes affected a country that serves as a major international transport and logistics centre. The Panama Canal remained open, but the damage to buildings, roads and electricity infrastructure highlighted the broader emergency response required beyond the immediate earthquake zone.

Authorities continued to assess damaged structures and public infrastructure. The final impact would depend on the results of inspections, reports from affected communities and any additional damage caused by subsequent shaking.

The US Geological Survey’s earthquake records provide the principal measurements for the two major tremors. Its reviewed record places the first earthquake at magnitude 7.7 and the second at magnitude 6.6. Preliminary estimates and reports can change as seismic data are reviewed, so the latest official measurements should be used.

For residents, the immediate priorities are to follow civil-protection instructions, stay away from damaged structures and monitor official updates. For travellers, airport reopening should not be taken as confirmation that every flight is operating normally.

The emergency response now centres on confirming the full extent of the damage, checking infrastructure and maintaining public safety while aftershocks continue.

Reporting Credit: U.S. Geological Survey; Panama National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC); Panama Canal Authority; Tocumen International Airport.

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According to the Associated Press, Peru’s electoral authority certified the results on Friday after completing the national vote count. Official figures showed Fujimori received approximately 9.223 million votes, or 50.135%, narrowly defeating nationalist congressman Roberto Sánchez, who secured about 9.173 million votes, or 49.865%.

Fujimori, 51, will become Peru’s ninth president in the past decade when she assumes office later this month, underscoring the country’s prolonged period of political instability and frequent leadership changes.

Security Emerged as the Defining Campaign Issue

The presidential race was shaped largely by public concern over worsening crime, particularly extortion and violence linked to organized criminal groups operating across parts of the country.

Throughout the campaign, Fujimori pledged tougher law enforcement measures, promising an “iron fist” approach against organized crime. Her proposals included constructing four new prisons, developing another high-security detention facility modeled on El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), requiring prison inmates to work, strengthening border security and deporting undocumented migrants.

Following confirmation of her victory, Fujimori wrote on social media that the transition period would provide an opportunity to engage with different sectors of society before her administration takes office.

Narrow Victory Ends Competitive Election

Fujimori and Sánchez advanced to the June 7 runoff after emerging as the top two candidates from a crowded first-round election in April that featured 35 presidential contenders.

The narrow final margin reflected a highly competitive race in which voters weighed competing visions for addressing Peru’s economic and security challenges.

Election authorities confirmed the final results after all ballots had been counted, formally concluding the electoral process.

Political Legacy Remains Central to Fujimori’s Public Profile

Fujimori’s election marks her fourth attempt to win Peru’s presidency. She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, whose administration in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path insurgency but was later criticized for authoritarian practices.

Alberto Fujimori was convicted in 2009 on human rights charges related to counterinsurgency operations and was later found guilty in corruption cases.

His political legacy has remained a defining feature of Keiko Fujimori’s public career, with supporters crediting the former administration for restoring security while critics continue to raise concerns over its human rights record.

Regional Political Landscape

Fujimori’s victory follows recent conservative electoral successes elsewhere in Latin America, including the elections of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and José Antonio Kast in Chile, reflecting broader political shifts in parts of the region.

The results contrast with earlier periods when left-leaning governments gained prominence across Latin America, illustrating the evolving political landscape as voters increasingly prioritize issues such as public safety, governance and economic stability.

Fujimori is expected to begin the transition process ahead of taking office later this month as her incoming administration prepares to implement its domestic policy agenda.

Tags: Peru, Keiko Fujimori, Roberto Sánchez, Presidential Election, Lima, Crime, Public Security, Alberto Fujimori, Latin America, Politics, Elections, Americas

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Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was pulled from the basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in the coastal town of Catia La Mar, in La Guaira state, where he had been trapped since the earthquakes struck on June 24.

Covered in dust and wearing an oxygen mask, Gil Flores was carried from the site on a stretcher before being transported by ambulance for medical evaluation. Rescue workers and volunteers applauded as the operation concluded after more than 100 hours of excavation.

International Teams Coordinated Rescue Effort

Rescue crews first established contact with Gil Flores over the weekend after detecting signs of life beneath the rubble. According to the AP, specialists worked continuously to create a safe tunnel through the unstable structure while supplying him with water and liquid nutrients through a narrow opening.

The operation involved urban search and rescue teams from Venezuela alongside specialists from Chile, the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Costa Rican Red Cross rescuer Minyar Collado told the AP that Gil Flores had asked rescuers not to inform his wife that he was alive until they were certain he could be saved. Despite the uncertainty, Collado said the team remained committed to bringing him out safely.

Survival Against the Odds

Emergency responders said Gil Flores survived because the small security cabin where he was working during the night shift remained largely intact as the surrounding structure collapsed. The cabin created a pocket of air that protected him from falling concrete and debris.

Specialized teams used a telescopic camera to maintain communication with him throughout the operation. During the final stages of the rescue, Chilean firefighter María Paz Campos spoke with Gil Flores continuously, encouraging him and providing instructions while debris continued to fall.

Video released by Chilean firefighters before the rescue showed Gil Flores drawing while waiting to be freed. Campos reminded him to keep protective goggles on to shield his eyes from dust and falling particles.

Family Awaits Rescue

Gil Flores’ wife, Gusbimar González, told the AP she had nearly lost hope before rescue teams confirmed they had made contact with her husband.

She said learning that he was alive gave her renewed hope after days of uncertainty. The couple has two children, ages 8 and 10.

Earthquakes Caused Widespread Devastation

The rescue comes after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24, with reported magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

According to the AP, the shallow earthquakes damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of buildings across the region. More than 2,200 people were killed, over 11,000 were injured, and La Guaira state experienced some of the country’s most severe destruction.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez praised both domestic and international rescue teams in a post on X, thanking them for their cooperation in saving lives. Her comments came as the government has faced criticism from many Venezuelans over its response to the disaster.

While Gil Flores’ rescue provided a rare moment of hope after more than a week of tragedy, emergency operations continue across affected areas as authorities assess damage and support displaced communities.

Tags: Venezuela, Earthquake, La Guaira, Catia La Mar, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, Search and Rescue, Natural Disaster, Costa Rican Red Cross, Chilean Firefighters, Delcy Rodríguez, Humanitarian Response, Americas

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The Venezuelan government said 1,450 people had died in the earthquakes as of Sunday afternoon, while thousands more remained missing. The disaster has also drawn criticism from residents who say civilian volunteers initially played a larger role in rescue efforts than government responders.

Even as emergency experts acknowledge that the first 48 to 72 hours after a major disaster offer the highest likelihood of finding survivors, rescue workers continued to recover people alive from collapsed buildings, providing hope for families still awaiting news of missing relatives.

International Rescue Operations Expand

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Sunday evening that search operations would continue despite the passing of the critical rescue window.

Government officials said more than 2,600 rescue personnel from multiple countries had arrived in Venezuela, bringing specialized search equipment, heavy machinery, and trained rescue dogs to assist operations in the country’s hardest-hit areas.

“It’s been incredibly hard work, but we’re going strong,” civilian volunteer Jason Mercano said as he described working alongside rescue teams after maintaining communication with relatives trapped beneath the rubble.

“We’ve never given up hope,” he added.

Scale of Destruction Becomes Clearer

Authorities said more than 770 buildings were either partially or completely destroyed, roughly double the number reported damaged or collapsed two days earlier.

The United Nations estimated that up to 6.8 million people could be affected by the earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 when they struck last Wednesday.

Aftershocks continued on Sunday, including earthquakes measuring magnitudes 4.2 and 4.5, raising concerns about additional structural damage and complicating rescue efforts.

Government officials also reported that more than 14,000 military and police personnel had been deployed across La Guaira state, where access remained restricted through a permit system.

Families Continue Search for Missing Loved Ones

Communication difficulties caused by damaged infrastructure have prompted many Venezuelans to rely on independent online databases to report missing relatives.

One such platform had received reports involving more than 50,000 missing people, although it remained unclear how many individuals had since been located.

Scenes across La Guaira reflected both hope and grief as rescue operations continued.

Rescue teams from Venezuela, the United States, and France successfully pulled a man and his son alive from beneath collapsed concrete, drawing applause from nearby crowds before both survivors were transferred to an ambulance for emergency medical treatment.

Elsewhere in the city, Helen Guedez said her family continued trying to rescue her father, Jesús, who remained trapped beneath their collapsed apartment building.

Guedez said rescue personnel from the United States confirmed that her father was still alive but determined the structure was too unstable to enter safely. She said civilian volunteers and local miners had continued attempting to reach him.

“We’re not going to give up,” Guedez said. “The rest of the team is willing to continue. They know there’s another way to get him out and they said they’re going to keep working until the very end.”

Hospitals Face Heavy Demand

Health facilities also continued treating large numbers of injured residents.

At Domingo Luciani Hospital in Caracas, anesthesiologist Leomery Pérez said donations from the public had helped the hospital manage an influx of patients despite longstanding shortages within Venezuela’s public health system.

Authorities said more than 3,100 injured people had received treatment, including many suffering crush injuries.

Disaster Presents Political and Humanitarian Challenge

The earthquake response has become a major test for acting President Rodríguez, who assumed office in January following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, according to the supplied source material.

Researcher Ronal Rodríguez of the Venezuelan Observatory at the University of Rosario said the disaster has compounded existing political and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration, warned that the disaster could accelerate displacement from Venezuela, where millions of people have already left the country over the past decade.

Rodríguez announced the creation of a special government commission to assess damage to homes and infrastructure while determining whether displaced residents could safely return.

She said authorities would continue searching for survivors as rescue operations moved into a fifth day.

“Today we recovered people who are still alive,” Rodríguez said. “We always maintain hope.”

Tags: Venezuela, La Guaira, Earthquake, Natural Disaster, Search and Rescue, Delcy Rodríguez, United Nations, International Organization for Migration, Humanitarian Crisis, Emergency Response, Caracas, Aftershocks

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A judge in Santo Domingo ruled Monday that siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, should stand trial in connection with the April 2025 disaster, one of the deadliest structural collapses in the country’s recent history.

If convicted, the pair could face prison sentences of up to two years under Dominican law.

The collapse occurred on April 8, 2025, when the roof of the popular entertainment venue gave way during a crowded concert, trapping hundreds of people beneath the debris. Emergency crews worked for several days to search for survivors and recover victims from the wreckage.

Court Rejects More Serious Charges

The decision was issued by Magistrate Reymundo Mejía Zorrilla of the First Court of Instruction of the National District in Santo Domingo.

The ruling determined that homicide charges were not appropriate because prosecutors had not demonstrated that the defendants knew their actions or negligence would result in the deaths of those inside the venue.

According to the court’s reasoning, if the owners had anticipated that the roof would collapse, it would be unreasonable to conclude that they would knowingly place themselves and others in such danger.

The decision disappointed many families affected by the tragedy, who had sought homicide charges carrying substantially higher penalties.

Relatives gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the hearing, joining in prayer and calling for stronger legal consequences for those held responsible for the disaster.

Prosecutors Cite Extensive Evidence

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has previously alleged that the Espaillat siblings attempted to intimidate or influence employees during the investigation.

Authorities have also stated that prosecutors collected hundreds of pieces of evidence that they believe connect the nightclub owners to circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Antonio Espaillat is considered one of the Dominican Republic’s most influential business figures, with interests that include entertainment venues and numerous radio stations.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court determined that the evidence currently supports involuntary manslaughter charges rather than intentional homicide.

The siblings are expected to be tried together. A trial date has not yet been announced.

Disaster Shocked the Dominican Republic

The collapse sent shockwaves across the Dominican Republic and drew widespread public attention because of the large number of casualties and the prominence of many victims.

Hundreds of people were attending a performance at the nightclub when the structure failed.

Among those killed was renowned Dominican singer Rubby Pérez, who had been performing at the venue when the roof collapsed.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was also among the victims. He was rescued from the rubble but later died after being transported to a hospital.

The disaster prompted renewed scrutiny of building safety standards, venue inspections and regulatory oversight in the Dominican Republic, although authorities have not yet announced the final outcome of the broader investigation into the causes of the collapse.

As legal proceedings move forward, families of the victims continue to seek accountability for one of the country’s deadliest public tragedies in recent years.

Tags: Dominican Republic, Jet Set Nightclub, Court Case, Building Collapse, Public Safety

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