Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep.) - State of emergency and force majeure situation resulting from the natural disaster on 24 June 2026

The designated operator of Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep.), the Postal Telegraphic Institute of Venezuela (IPOSTEL), wishes to formally notify all Union member countries and their designated operators of the state of emergency and force majeure situation resulting from the natural disaster that occurred in Venezuela on 24 June 2026, when a series of high-magnitude seismic events were experienced. In response to this emergency, the National Executive immediately issued Decree No. 5,364, declaring a state of emergency throughout the national territory, as duly published in Official Gazette No. 7,039 (Extraordinary) on the same date. Given the impact of this incident, the Caracas Postal Centre (IPOSTEL’s headquarters) has been urgently designated as a collection point for receiving humanitarian aid and providing direct assistance to the affected population in the Caracas and La Guaira regions, prioritizing humanitarian efforts and the sheltering of approximately 1,500 people within the centre’s facilities. Accordingly, in compliance with international postal regulations and with the aim of safeguarding the physical safety of its workforce, IPOSTEL wishes to inform Union member countries and their designated operators of the temporary suspension of administrative and operational functions, as well as postal distribution and delivery activities, at all post offices nationwide. This suspension will be effective throughout the period from 24 June to 13 July 2026, during which comprehensive structural inspections are being conducted to ensure safe conditions. IPOSTEL also wishes to inform Union member countries and their designated operators that the Maiquetia International Postal Exchange Office (VEMAIA), located at Simón Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, has experienced severe infrastructural damage due to its proximity to the most affected area in La Guaira state. Consequently, while the possibility of safely reopening the airport terminal is being assessed, flights carrying international postal cargo are being diverted to Arturo Michelena International Airport in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state. IPOSTEL wishes to thank Union member countries and their designated operators in advance for their understanding regarding this exceptional situation, and has formally requested that the UPU International Bureau take the necessary steps to issue a circular notifying them about these temporary interruptions and the contingency measures adopted by Venezuela. In light of this situation, and in order to handle the flow of international mail, IPOSTEL is conducting the necessary technical and operational analyses for the extraordinary activation of the Valencia International Postal Exchange Office (VEVLNA), which will temporarily assume responsibility for the receipt and dispatch of international mail. IPOSTEL extends its deep gratitude to all the countries that have expressed their solidarity with Venezuela, and thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their cooperation.