Yacht owners and public housing residents once shared Venezuela’s coast. Now they share its ruin
A powerful earthquake struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast, flattening homes in Caraballeda where both wealthy yacht owners and public housing residents lived side-by-side. The disaster, which occurred on June 24, 2026, has resulted in over 3,500 deaths and left approximately 17,000 survivors homeless. Many of these survivors are now dependent on a government criticized for its response and past politicization of housing. Historically, Venezuelan governments have built housing projects to integrate different socioeconomic classes, but these homes often lack deeds, creating political dependence. The extent of the damage is significant, with thousands of structures affected, and the government has not yet provided timelines for long-term recovery efforts.