Venezuela's Barquisimeto area hit by two magnitude‑3 quakes; officials push seismic code upgrades

On 6 August 2026, two separate magnitude‑3.0 earthquakes were recorded in the Barquisimeto‑Cabudare region of Venezuela. Geologist Luiraima Salazar explained that the tremors originated at different depths and points, noting the area remains tectonically active but the events do not constitute a precursor to a larger quake. She linked the recent activity to the June 24, 2026, magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that affected eastern Venezuela and to earlier seismic adjustments.

In response, the Venezuelan Foundation of Seismological Investigations (Funvisis), the municipal government of Iribarren, and the Lara state College of Engineers and Architects are coordinating to inspect buildings and update the seismic‑resistant construction standard Norma Covenin 1756, as well as the 2018 micro‑zonification ordinances and the local urban development plan. The effort targets high‑risk, densely populated zones such as the Iribarren‑Palavecino conurbation, home to about 1.5 million residents, aiming to improve urban resilience after historic and recent damaging quakes.