Chacao earthquake recovery and structural damage

Following a double earthquake on June 24, the Chacao municipality in Caracas has been engaged in extensive structural recovery and emergency management.

Initial responses focused on high-risk structures, such as the San Felipe A building in La Castellana. Due to a northward tilt and significant damage to ground-floor columns, authorities, including the Chacao Mayor’s Office and the National Government, decided to demolish the building. This decision followed the preventive evacuation of nearby businesses and the Spanish Embassy. While the San Felipe A building was slated for demolition, the nearby Monaco Building, a national heritage site, was designated for rescue and recovery.

Three months after the seismic events, recovery efforts have expanded to address widespread damage affecting 5,480 apartments and 49 buildings. To fund these repairs, the municipality implemented a financing mechanism involving prepayments of municipal taxes from major commercial taxpayers, which has already facilitated the rehabilitation of 11 buildings. Additionally, the local government has provided temporary hotel housing for vulnerable residents and is negotiating subsidized insurance for homeowners. The municipality also held a ceremony to honor the rescue workers and volunteers involved in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.