There's one theory that experts can't agree on: the much-discussed Big Bang. It's a model of the cosmos that attempts to explain how the universe began millions of years ago. Suffice it to say that, after the cooling of the supposed explosion, the matter and energy concentrated within it expanded, giving rise to space and time, until, millions of years later, the first signs of life emerged. Up to this point, there's general consensus.

 

Later, nature intervened, bringing with it the challenges posed by the weather: hurricanes, tsunamis, seismic activity along fault lines, tremors, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. These are sudden and brief shakings of the Earth's crust, caused by the unexpected release of energy accumulated within the Earth, resulting from the collision, friction, or displacement of tectonic plates—enormous fragments of rock from the Earth's crust.

 

One of the most well-known and impactful cases was dubbed "the last day of Pompeii," when the stratovolcano Vesuvius, located across the Bay of Naples, Italy, erupted in 79 AD, consuming the Roman city with volcanic ash and rivers of lava. There were subtle warning signs beforehand, but the catastrophe forever changed the history of the region. Pompeii had between 13,000 and 15,000 inhabitants at the time, according to estimates by archaeologists and historians, who calculate that around 2,000 people died from the volcanic eruption, most from asphyxiation by inhaling toxic fumes and gases, or, as is happening now in La Guaira and other regions of Venezuela, from the collapse of roofs and houses.

 

And, in order to avoid upsetting their followers throughout history, the various sects, creeds, and cults around the world (more than 4,000) have attributed environmental disasters to the wrath of their respective gods or emblematic deities. Thus, the anger caused by the low attendance of their faithful at temples, mosques, synagogues, and other meeting places has served as an excuse for their leaders to try to take advantage of the situation, calling for invocations and demanding attendance at their prayers.

 

But the story doesn't end there. Our generation has witnessed ecological disasters like the 2004 tsunami that devastated 14 countries and flooded the coasts of almost all of South and Southeast Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Initial estimates placed the death toll at around 280,000, with tens of thousands missing.

 

Of course, I could continue citing similar disasters from history that have plunged many communities around the world into mourning, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. It is precisely these unforeseen natural events that have prompted scientists and professionals from various disciplines to develop a system of codes that allow us to anticipate what might happen in the immediate future and thus try to protect ourselves as much as possible. Ignoring these codes is to head straight for certain tragedy.

 

The Venezuelan soil, where underground blocks of earth known as tectonic plates also slide, exposed the weaknesses of numerous buildings. According to experts, many buildings constructed decades ago lacked modern seismic design standards or exhibited structural anomalies, and were located on vulnerable terrain, which amplified the magnitude of the tragedy.

 

Meanwhile, according to other experts, some buildings were erected in areas of significant geological risks that had been little studied until that time, which caused the biggest catastrophe to occur in the country in more than a century.

 

We must also point out that there have been hundreds of aftershocks, which are

Caused by the instability of the Earth's crust after the earthquake, the geological fault needs to release the accumulated energy until it achieves an acceptable equilibrium, which keeps everyone in the region in a state of panic about what may happen, since, according to NASA, the earthquake displaced the Earth's surface by 60 centimeters.

 

Another recent example is in Miami Beach, specifically in Surfside, when the Champlain Towers South building collapsed in June 2021, tragically killing 98 people and injuring 11. It was later revealed that the building was undergoing a year-long inspection process, after which it would be recertified. The tragedy occurred 40 years after its construction.

 

Adherence to building codes is of paramount importance, as disasters of incalculable proportions can occur anywhere, at any time. Codes are key to safety in all areas. What do you think would happen if people didn't respect traffic, navigation, or flight line codes? Well, the same applies to building codes, especially when they are subject to the irregularities of the terrain where construction takes place. Currently, one expert is already pointing out that the reconstruction of Venezuela would cost no less than 37 billion dollars. 

 

Meanwhile, let's take, for example, the collapse of the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a tragedy that occurred on April 8, 2025, leaving 236 dead and more than 180 injured. Judicial investigations have indicated that the structure had pre-existing flaws, leaks, and a relative lack of maintenance, which were ignored, according to some involved in the incident. If these details are accurate, we must be vigilant in all matters concerning this issue.

 

Even so, many believe that “we live in a world of balance and equilibrium”; and I would ask, where is the balance or equilibrium in the recent earthquakes in Venezuela? Or is it that our journey through life exposes us to misfortunes that fuels such an absurd reflection?

 

This idea of ​​"balances and equilibrium" could perhaps be taken lightly, or with the seriousness with which the reflection was supposedly put forth. But, in either case, life doesn't seem to allow for such absurd trials, nor for rash judgments that could damage the stability and peace of the citizenry. We can swell the ranks of the uninformed if we become careless beyond what common sense dictates, or, conversely, we can anticipate with relative certainty what might happen.

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And lest we forget, we must reflect and conclude, for example, that at the time of writing this article, the death toll in Venezuela has risen to over 5,400, in addition to 16,740 injured, 6,462 rescued, 17,907 homeless, and 23,335 people in camps. All these figures continue to rise daily, along with a horrifying number of unmarked graves because many have been unable to confirm whether their relatives are missing or dead.

Very sad!