Malaysia's Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday that all registered Malaysian nationals residing in or visiting Venezuela have been accounted for and are safe following two severe earthquakes that rocked the South American nation the previous day. The tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck central Venezuela and were felt across extensive areas of the country, yet posed no immediate threat to the Malaysian community there, according to the ministry's statement issued from Putrajaya.
The earthquakes originated approximately 21 kilometres from the city of Moron and about 168 kilometres west of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. The powerful tremors rippled through multiple states including Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira, in addition to affecting Caracas itself. Structural damage has been reported across the affected regions, with several buildings sustaining damage and some collapsing entirely. However, Venezuelan authorities have yet to complete their assessment of the full scale of destruction or determine casualty figures as recovery operations continue.
Wisma Putra, the ministry's official designation, maintained close contact with Venezuelan authorities to gather updated information about the situation on the ground. Embassy staff in Caracas have established open communication channels with local emergency services to track developments and ensure the safety of Malaysian citizens. The ministry underscored its commitment to monitoring the evolving situation and providing timely information to the public as new details become available.
The confirmation of safety for all registered Malaysians highlights the importance of the embassy's registry system, which allows officials to maintain accurate records of nationals abroad and reach out to them during emergencies. The ministry used this incident to strongly encourage any Malaysian nationals who have not yet registered their presence in Venezuela to do so without delay through the e-Konsular system at https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my, enabling the Foreign Ministry to provide faster assistance during future crises.
Malaysian residents and visitors in the affected areas have been issued strict safety advisories. The ministry cautioned all nationals to remain extremely vigilant, exercise the utmost caution, and comply fully with all instructions and emergency updates disseminated by Venezuelan local emergency services. These precautions remain particularly important given the risk of aftershocks that typically follow major seismic events, which can cause additional structural damage and pose ongoing hazards to the population.
For Malaysians requiring urgent consular support or those with information about fellow Malaysian nationals who may be affected and located in the impacted zones, the Embassy of Malaysia in Caracas made available multiple contact channels. The embassy can be reached through two telephone numbers—(+58-212) 720 4257 and (+58-424) 222 1338—as well as via electronic mail at [email protected]. Having multiple communication methods ensures that Malaysians can connect with embassy personnel regardless of whether telephone networks are compromised by the disaster.
This earthquake event underscores the broader challenge that Malaysian diplomatic missions face in maintaining oversight of the nation's citizens scattered across the globe, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters. Venezuela, despite its economic and political challenges in recent years, continues to host a small but meaningful Malaysian population engaged in various professional and business activities. The swift confirmation of safety provides reassurance to families back in Malaysia who may have been concerned about loved ones following news reports of the powerful tremors.
The Venezuelan government's ongoing damage assessment will likely reveal the extent of economic losses and infrastructure damage from the earthquakes. While the initial focus has centered on immediate emergency response and search and rescue operations, reconstruction efforts will probably take months or longer depending on the severity of damage in affected municipalities. The international community, including Malaysia through its embassy, typically coordinates with local authorities to offer appropriate assistance when major disasters strike.
For Malaysian expatriates in Venezuela and their families in Malaysia, this incident serves as a reminder of the value of maintaining current contact information with their embassy and ensuring registration status is up to date. Many Malaysians abroad may not realize they are unregistered or assume that their presence is already known to authorities. The ministry's repeated calls for Malaysians to register themselves aim to close this information gap and strengthen the government's capacity to respond swiftly to emergencies.
The Foreign Ministry's measured and prompt response to the crisis demonstrates the operational readiness of Malaysia's consular services despite Venezuela's considerable distance from Kuala Lumpur. The embassy's communication with local authorities and provision of safety guidance reflect standard protocols that Malaysian missions follow during natural disasters and other emergencies affecting their jurisdictions. As further information emerges from Venezuelan authorities, the ministry indicated its intention to issue additional updates to ensure Malaysian nationals remain informed about any developments that might affect their safety or wellbeing.
