Faith and Survival Clash After Devastating June 24 Earthquake in La Guaira

The June 24 earthquakes that shattered La Guaira claimed the life of pastor Renzo Román, found dead kneeling in prayer among the debris of his church. His mother, Señora Iris, recalls his last conversation about faith and a joke about angels before the building collapsed. In the nearby town of Naiguatá, the Saint John the Baptist festival was in full swing when the ground gave way, prompting some survivors to credit the gathering for their safety, while others accused the festivities of inviting disaster.

Evangelical voices, including Pastor Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Jhonell Hernández, framed the event as a biblical sign or a test of belief, whereas Catholic devotees emphasized the protective power of Saint John. The quake also revived debate over the UNESCO-listed Afro-Venezuelan celebration’s syncretic roots, highlighting tensions between traditional customs and modern religious interpretations. Across shelters, survivors expressed a mixture of gratitude, confusion and a yearning for spiritual guidance as they rebuild their lives.