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As Venezuelans mourn lives lost in deadly earthquakes, South Florida experts are calling out structural issues
By Ted Scouten at CBS4 Miami
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
Survivors of last week's twin earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, are mourning the loss of thousands of lives and thousands more missing as concerns grow regarding the structural integrity of the region's public housing.Nearly 2,000 people are confirmed dead, with tens of thousands still missing fo
Key takeaway "It used to be 10 floors, and it collapsed completely, and right now the rubble is maybe like two stories tall," Villarroel said.
Why this matters in The Miami
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela have a profound impact on Miami 's large Venezuelan community, many of whom have family ties to the affected region. As locals mourn the loss of life and worry about loved ones, concerns about structural integrity in Venezuela's public housing resonate with Miami's own experiences with hurricane risks and flooding. The city's history of responding to natural disasters, including hurricanes and sea-level rise, has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of building codes and inspections. Engineers like Andres Tremante, based at Florida International University, bring valuable expertise to the conversation, having witnessed the aftermath of the 1999 landslides in La Guaira. As Miami continues to grow and develop, particularly in areas like Little Havana and Wynwood, the lessons learned from Venezuela's tragedy can inform the city's own approach to building safety and disaster preparedness.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Survivors of last week's twin earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, are mourning the loss of thousands of lives and thousands more missing as concerns grow regarding the structural integrity of the region's public housing.Nearly 2,000 people are confirmed dead, with tens of thousands still missing fo
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ted Scouten at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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