Declaration of State of Emergency throughout Venezuela

Legal Flash Report

Declaration of State of Emergency throughout Venezuela following the June 24, 2026 seismic events

Date of Decree: June 24, 2026

Official Gazette: Extraordinary No. 7,039

Executive Summary

On June 24, 2026, the Acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez, issued Decree No. 5,364, declaring a State of Emergency throughout the national territory after two major earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter Scale, followed by numerous aftershocks. The decree recognizes the significant loss of life, injuries, destruction of public and private infrastructure, and disruption of essential public services resulting from the disaster.

The measure provides the Venezuelan Executive Branch with extraordinary administrative authority to coordinate disaster response, mobilize resources, temporarily occupy private property when necessary, requisition goods and services, and implement emergency public health and security measures.

Principal Measures Adopted

  1. Nationwide State of Emergency

The Government formally declares a nationwide State of Emergency to mobilize all available:

  • Technical resources
  • Human resources
  • Financial resources
  • Material resources

for disaster response and recovery.

  1. Creation of a National Emergency Command
  2. National Recovery Action Plan

The Emergency Command, together with the National Civil Protection Agency, must prepare a Specific Action Plan aimed at restoring normal conditions in the affected areas.

The Plan must also define the participation of:

  • citizens,
  • private companies,
  • private organizations,

in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

  1. Appointment of a Single National Emergency Authority
  2. Extraordinary Government Powers

The Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace, through Civil Protection, may adopt exceptional measures including:

  • temporary occupation of public or private facilities;
  • temporary occupation of land;
  • requisition of goods;
  • requisition of essential services;
  • emergency actions necessary to restore basic public services and damaged infrastructure.

These powers are intended exclusively to address the emergency.

  1. Public Health Measures
  2. Public Security Measures

Security forces, under coordination of the Ministries of Interior and Defense, are instructed to:

  • preserve public order;
  • protect citizens and property;
  • support emergency authorities;
  • guarantee constitutional rights during the emergency.

Legal and Commercial Implications

The Decree has several important implications for businesses operating in Venezuela:

Operational

  • Possible temporary interruption of logistics.
  • Delays in governmental procedures.
  • Increased coordination with Civil Protection authorities.

Contract Performance

The emergency may support claims involving:

  • force majeure;
  • impossibility of performance;
  • extension of contractual deadlines;
  • delays in regulatory approvals.

Each contract should be reviewed individually.

Infrastructure Projects

Construction, energy, mining, industrial and oil & gas projects located within affected areas may experience:

  • operational interruptions;
  • inspections;
  • revised safety protocols;
  • emergency governmental intervention.

Implications for the Oil & Gas Industry

Although the Decree does not specifically regulate the hydrocarbons sector, it has practical implications for operators:

  • Critical infrastructure may receive priority restoration.
  • Emergency coordination with Civil Protection may become mandatory.
  • Supply chains and transportation networks may be temporarily disrupted.
  • Emergency requisition powers could affect logistics assets or equipment when required for disaster response.
  • Operators should review emergency response plans, HSE procedures and force majeure provisions under existing contracts.

Entra Consulting Comment

This Decree is primarily a civil protection and disaster management instrument, rather than an economic or sanctions-related measure. Nevertheless, companies operating in Venezuela—particularly in the energy, infrastructure, logistics, construction, mining, and industrial sectors—should immediately assess operational continuity risks, contractual obligations, insurance coverage, force majeure provisions, and potential interaction with emergency authorities.

For international investors, the measure does not modify the existing investment framework or hydrocarbons legislation, but it may temporarily affect project execution schedules, permitting activities, logistics, and government resource allocation until emergency conditions stabilize.