Following two powerful earthquakes—magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5—struck Venezuela, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially estimated potential fatalities between 10,000 and 100,000. This high-range projection was made shortly after the seismic events. However, as more information became available over the following ten hours, the initial assessment appeared to be a substantial overestimation. The reason for the discrepancy remains unclear, but the final death toll is expected to be far lower than originally predicted by the USGS. The initial estimate highlights the challenges in rapidly assessing damage and casualties in the immediate aftermath of major earthquakes. Authorities are continuing to evaluate the full extent of the damage and impact on the affected population.