Top leader sends condolences over devastating earthquakes in Venezuela

Two consecutive earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving at least 164 people dead and causing extensive damage to buildings near the capital, where residents and emergency services are hastening efforts to locate thousands of missing people.

A building destroyed following the earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 24, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
A building destroyed following the earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 24, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Following the devastating earthquakes that caused severe losses of life and property in Venezuela, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam on June 25 sent a message of condolence to Acting President Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, the Government and people of Venezuela.

Two consecutive earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving at least 164 people dead and causing extensive damage to buildings near the capital, where residents and emergency services are hastening efforts to locate thousands of missing people.

Speaking on national television on June 25, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people lost their lives and more than 970 were injured. She noted that La Guaira state, north of Caracas, is among the hardest-hit areas.

The leader added professional teams coordinated by the United Nations are en route to Venezuela to support search and rescue operations. The Venezuelan government will also establish a reconstruction fund with an initial allocation of 200 million USD to support recovery efforts./.

VNA

See more

Vietnamese, Chinese border forces conduct joint patrol

Vietnamese, Chinese border forces conduct joint patrol

The joint patrol covered the area between border markers No. 1055 and No. 1059. It reflected the friendship, mutual understanding and trust between the two sides in coordinating border management and protection, while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining regular joint patrols, exchanges and consultation mechanisms.

The 13th Central Committee, Standing Board and Secretariat of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for the 2026–2031 term make their debut at the union's 13th national congress. (Photo: VNA)

13th National Congress of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union concludes

First Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee Bui Quang Huy affirmed that the congress has completed all scheduled items and fully and seriously incorporated the guidance of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam into its future programme of action, creating strong political momentum for the union’s activities and youth movements during the new term.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (right) receives outgoing Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama on June 25. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader receives outgoing Palestinian Ambassador

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam highly valued the close bond, deep understanding, and special sentiments that the ambassador has nurtured for Vietnam over the past 40 years, describing them as a vivid testament to the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Palestine.

Panellists and keynote speakers at the plenary session of the 14th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam promotes legal cooperation and rule of law at global forum

Vietnam’s development and international integration have gone hand in hand with the improvement of its legal system, the incorporation of international commitments into domestic legislation, and legal reforms aimed at fostering development, openness and global integration. The country regards international law as an essential instrument for building fair, mutually beneficial relations among nations.

An overview of the talks (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia foster defence cooperation

Vietnam is ready to share training expertise, dispatch delegations to Cambodia for exchanges, and welcome Cambodian delegations to Vietnam for study visits and experience sharing.

The State’s village and hamlet reorganisation policy receive broad public backing in Lai Chau. (Photo: VNA)

Technology helps shape a more citizen-centred local government

Nearly a year after the rollout of the two-tier local government model, the restructuring of the administrative system has delivered notable changes in public governance, encouraging a shift from traditional administration towards a service-oriented and development-focused approach at the grassroots level.

Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung meets with Russian Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko on June 24, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia move to deepen legal cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung highly valued the invitation to attend the forum as the only guest country, describing it as evidence of the trust and close ties underpinning the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 24

☕ Afternoon briefing on June 24

The second meeting of the Central Military Commission for the 2025-2030 term, the opening of the 13th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and Vietnam targeting the full coverage of non-traditional security education in schools by 2030 are among news highlights on June 24.

Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, former President of Timor-Leste and President of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (File photo: VNA)

Condolences sent to Timor-Leste over passing of former President

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam has sent a message of condolences to Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta over the passing of Francisco Guterres “Lu Olo”, former President and President of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (FRETILIN).

The “Triangular Partnership Programme” stakeholders’ workshop takes place in Hanoi on June 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam contributes to shaping future peacekeeping cooperation

Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence, said Vietnam has deployed 1,352 military personnel and police officers to UN peacekeeping missions over the past decade.