Venezuela earthquakes: Why UN experts want nation to lift social media restrictions

A powerful twin earthquake has killed at least 164 people in Venezuela and injured over 970, becoming the strongest since 1900. The death toll is expected to rise.

Twin earthquakes, known as a doublet- one measuring 7.2 and the other 7.5- struck near the capital, Caracas, on Wednesday evening (June 24), causing buildings to crumble, complete road cracks and forcing the closure of the country's main airport.

Since then, the nation has been racing against time to rescue survivors trapped under debris. Rescue team and locals are spending hours digging through the collapsed building blocks to search for those trapped beneath concrete and twisted metal.

Amid this, Venezuelans are struggling with no social media access, prompting UN experts to urge the "immediate" unblocking of access to platforms and news outlets. BBC reported that internet users in Venezuela have regained access to X. However, the government has not commented on it yet.

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We take a look.

'Unblock social media access': UN experts

Calling it a "life and death" situation, where people are scrambling for information to trace their loved ones, a statement from The United Nations' Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela said: "For a country already facing enormous challenges, this is a devastating blow."

The statement appealed to authorities to permit human rights to "guide all aspects of the national and international response to this immense tragedy."

"As a critical first step, it is vital that CONATEL, the country's telecommunications regulator, fully unblock access to social media and all media outlets," it added.

The experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, asserted that in the aftermath of the situation, such access would "be a matter of life and death".

According to experts, unrestricted access to information goes beyond rights issues, as during disasters, those pieces of information become an essential part of survival. They added: "There can be no excuse for failing to do so immediately."

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which ranks Venezuela 159th out of 180 nations for press freedom, states that the government has closed various media outlets and blocked several digital news outlets.

RSF on its website: "After years of repression and strict control over information under Nicolas Maduro's government, restrictions on the press and access to information were further exacerbated following the United States's illegal military intervention in 2026."

"The country has been plunged into deep uncertainty surrounding the protection of press freedom, despite the release of detained journalists in early 2026," it added.

Why UN experts want restrictions to be lifted

During a disaster such as this, families looking for their relatives can locate them through social media by circulating their names and photos. People's pictures and names can be easily shared, asking if anyone has come across or has any input.

In earthquake-hit Venezuela, quick access to accurate and verified information can save many lives. Emergency alerts enable people to evacuate unsafe buildings, steer clear of blocked roads and hazardous areas, and quickly locate medical assistance.

The opening of communication channels becomes paramount for survivors' families who are attempting to locate their missing relatives. After losing physical access, messaging apps and online platforms are the fastest way to confirm safety and initiate help.

Hence, UN experts have argued that this is not merely a rights issue, but a crucial part of survival. They also cautioned against restricting these channels, as it can slow rescue efforts and deepen chaos.

They said there should be “no excuse” for delaying access to social media and news publications during such an emergency. "Fully unblock access to social media and all media outlets so people could gain information," the UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela added.

How is the global aid reaching Venezuela?

Countries have come forward to provide international assistance to mobilise as the scale of the disaster becomes apparent.

France has vowed 85 rescue workers, while Spain is deploying 54 military search specialists. India, Brazil, China and the United States are among the other countries that have also extended support.

In the aftermath of the disaster, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "Washington is immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.” President Donald Trump has also pledged full support.

Following the devastation, the scenes from the affected areas were heartbreaking. “We have nothing, right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there, just imagine,” Larry Rojas, whose family remained trapped inside a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, told AFP.

“There are people alive in there, and no one is coming to save them," another woman pleaded for faster rescue efforts for her daughter, who was trapped beneath the debris.

Rescue work is still underway at several sites in the earthquake-hit Venezuela.

With inputs from agencies