An 18‑year‑old Venezuelan midfielder, Yimvert Berroterán, was among the nearly a thousand people who lost their lives when a series of powerful earthquakes struck the country's central region this week.
A Nation in Mourning
The tremors, which injured more than three thousand others, have left communities scrambling to locate missing relatives and assess the damage to homes and infrastructure.
Berroterán, who had recently broken into the senior squad of Universidad Central de Venezuela after stints with the under‑20 and under‑17 national teams, was celebrated for his technical skill and dedication on the pitch.
His club and his representation by Agencia Secasports issued statements expressing deep sorrow, describing him as a promising talent whose loss resonates far beyond the stadium.
The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) confirmed the athlete’s death on social media, extending condolences to his family and reaffirming its commitment to supporting affected players and their relatives.
Jorge Rodriguez, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, provided updated casualty figures, noting that the earthquakes have claimed 920 lives and left at least 3,300 injured.
Authorities continue to use social platforms to locate missing persons, while rescue teams work around the clock to reach those trapped beneath collapsed structures.
The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of a nation already grappling with economic challenges, and it has sparked a wave of solidarity from football fans worldwide.