The Malaysian Foreign Ministry, known as Wisma Putra, has provided assurance that all registered Malaysian citizens currently in Venezuela are safe and accounted for in the aftermath of two significant seismic events that devastated parts of central Venezuela on Wednesday. The declaration came through an official statement released on Thursday, underscoring the government's close monitoring of the situation and its commitment to the welfare of its nationals abroad.
The two earthquakes that struck Venezuela registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, making them among the more powerful seismic events to impact the South American nation in recent times. The epicentres were located approximately 21 kilometres from Moron and roughly 168 kilometres west of Caracas, the national capital. The tremors reverberated across a wide geographical area, with significant ground shaking reported in Caracas itself as well as across multiple states including Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira, demonstrating the widespread reach of these tectonic disturbances.
The earthquakes caused considerable structural damage across the affected regions, with reports indicating that several buildings collapsed under the force of the seismic waves. Venezuelan authorities are currently in the process of comprehensively assessing the full scale of the disaster, including determining casualty figures and evaluating the extent of infrastructure damage. As of the time of Wisma Putra's statement, Venezuelan officials had not yet released official figures regarding the human cost or complete damage assessments, though emergency response operations were actively underway.
Wisma Putra maintained that Malaysia's embassy in Caracas has established and maintained close communication channels with local Venezuelan authorities and emergency services. This coordination enables the diplomatic mission to stay informed about developments and ensures that Malaysian interests are represented during the crisis response phase. The embassy's proactive engagement with Venezuelan officials reflects the standard diplomatic protocol followed during natural disasters affecting countries where Malaysian citizens reside.
For Malaysian nationals currently in Venezuela, particularly those in areas affected by the earthquakes, the Foreign Ministry issued explicit safety advisories. Residents and visitors in the impacted zones have been strongly counselled to exercise exceptional caution, remain alert to their surroundings, and most importantly, comply strictly with all safety instructions and updates disseminated by Venezuelan emergency services and civil protection authorities. Such guidance is crucial as aftershocks and secondary hazards often accompany major seismic events.
Wisma Putra emphasised the importance of registration, particularly in emergency situations such as this. The ministry strongly encouraged any Malaysian nationals who have not yet registered their presence in Venezuela to do so immediately through the e-Konsular portal available at https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my. This registration system enables the Foreign Ministry to maintain accurate records of Malaysian citizens abroad and facilitates swift communication and assistance during crises, ensuring that no nationals are overlooked in diplomatic responses to emergencies.
For Malaysians requiring urgent consular support or those seeking to report information about other Malaysian nationals potentially affected by the earthquakes, the Foreign Ministry provided direct contact channels. The Embassy of Malaysia in Caracas can be reached at telephone numbers (+58-212) 720 4257 or (+58-424) 222 1338, with an alternative email contact at [email protected]. These communication lines remain open for emergency consultations and information gathering, enabling the embassy to rapidly mobilise assistance where needed.
The Foreign Ministry's response reflects the broader obligations undertaken by Malaysia in protecting its diaspora communities scattered across the globe. Venezuela, despite ongoing economic and political challenges, continues to host a Malaysian expatriate community engaged in various professional and business activities. The swift confirmation of safety represents standard diplomatic practice but also demonstrates the connectivity maintained between Putrajaya and its overseas missions, even in countries facing significant internal instability.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of earthquake-prone regions in the Americas and the importance of earthquake preparedness infrastructure. Venezuela lies within an active seismic zone, and major earthquakes in the region can have cascading effects on regional stability and economic activity. For Malaysian investors and business operators in Venezuela, such natural disasters introduce additional risk factors that must be evaluated alongside existing geopolitical and economic considerations.
The Malaysian government indicated that it would continue releasing periodic updates as new information emerges from Venezuela regarding the full impact of the earthquakes and the status of affected populations. This commitment to ongoing communication ensures that Malaysian families and stakeholders remain informed about the situation affecting their relatives and associates in the South American nation. The Foreign Ministry's measured and transparent approach reflects international best practices in crisis communication during natural disasters.
