A powerful 7.2 magnitude tremor was followed hours later by a 7.5 shock that ripped through Venezuela on June 24, leaving a trail of destruction across the coastal state of La Guaira. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, and the disaster quickly rose to become the nation's most catastrophic seismic event in a century.
Among the casualties were the wife and two young children of Argentine midfielder Lucas Trejo. Trejo, who had been training with the local club Marítimo in Caracas, learned of the loss while the team was still on the field. His wife, Yanina Maranella, and their children, Aarón Trejo and Ainhoa Trejo, were pronounced dead amid the chaos that engulfed their apartment building.
A Nation in Mourning
Deportivo La Guaira, the club where Trejo’s team is based, and fellow player Edson Tortolero took to social media to announce the tragic news. Their messages expressed deep condolences and gratitude for the flood of support pouring in from fans, fellow athletes and community leaders across the continent.
The earthquakes have claimed more than 900 lives, with over 50,000 people still missing, according to official tallies. International rescue crews have been dispatched to assist in the search for survivors, while local authorities coordinate relief efforts amid damaged infrastructure and limited communication.
Trejo’s journey to Venezuela began in the late 2000s, when he honed his craft in the Greek leagues before making the move to South America. Earlier this year he signed with Marítimo, forging a close bond with teammates such as Edson Tortolero, who shared stark images of rescue operations on his Instagram stories, urging followers to contribute what they could.
The collective grief extends beyond the pitch. Clubs across the region, including Carabobo FC, have issued statements of solidarity, and the broader football community has rallied to support the victims’ families. As Venezuela begins the long process of rebuilding, the memory of those lost serves as a somber reminder of life’s fragility and the strength found in shared compassion.