27/06/2026 15:56 - Deportes
Venezuelan sports are going through hours of deep pain after the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, 2026. Two figures from football and baseball lost their wives in the tragedy that has already accumulated more than 1,430 deaths and 3,338 injured, according to the latest official report.
Context: Venezuela, located in northern South America, sits near the intersection of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. The state of La Guaira, one of the hardest hit areas, is located on the Caribbean coast, about 60 km west of Caracas, the capital.
Héctor Bello, a 28-year-old footballer from Marítimo de La Guaira, faced the most devastating drama a parent can experience: his wife Andrea died protecting their 1-year-and-8-month-old daughter with her body during the collapse of the building where they lived in La Guaira.
The baby was rescued safe and sound from the rubble. Andrea used her last breaths to protect her little one from the catastrophe.
La Guaira is a coastal state known for its beaches and port. The city of La Guaira, capital of the state, was one of the areas most affected by the earthquakes.
"You will always be our favorite heroine, mommy. I will take care of reminding our baby how wonderful you were, how much you loved her. I will tell her the story of how you saved her, my love, how you gave your own life for our daughter."
"How do I explain to your daughter that you lost your life to save hers and I wasn't there at that moment to do anything?"
Baseball player Gorkys Hernández, player for Delfines de La Guaira and a figure in Venezuelan baseball, confirmed on June 27, 2026 the death of his wife Deisy María Tovar de Hernández due to the earthquakes.
Hernández, 38, shared a heartbreaking message on his social media where he defined his wife as "the best woman in the world" and thanked her for her unconditional support throughout his career.
Note: Baseball is the most popular sport in Venezuela. Gorkys Hernández is known for having played in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States before returning to the Venezuelan league.
"Queen of my life you are and will be the most beautiful thing. You always looked for ways to lift me up. Fly high, my princess, my queen. May God have you in his glory and guide me to move forward and raise our family."
The tragedy also claimed the lives of other athletes:
| Name | Sport | Club/Team |
|---|---|---|
| Razan Sijaa | Football | Caracas FC (U-18) |
| Yimvert Berroterán | Football | Venezuela National Team |
Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo (38 years old), Bello's teammate at Marítimo de La Guaira, remains searching for his wife Yanina Maranella and their two children Aarón (7) and Ainhoa (5), who remain missing after the collapse of the same building.
Argentina sent 26 Army personnel with USAR brigades, canine teams, medical staff, and humanitarian aid. Spain deployed 54 rescuers, El Salvador 300, and Pope Leo XIV donated 100,000 euros. More than 1,600 international rescuers are working in the affected areas.
Sources: BBC News | TN Deportivo
Alfredo S. Quiroga
