A strong aftershock shook Venezuela on Monday as rescue teams continued searching damaged coastal and urban areas for survivors from last week's major earthquake.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.6 aftershock about 27 kilometres north of Caraballeda on Venezuela's Caribbean coast at 7:01 a.m. local time. Colombian authorities measured the tremor at magnitude 5.1, according to AP. USGS separately lists the earlier major earthquake as magnitude 7.5, centred near Moron, Venezuela, on June 24.

The aftershock sent residents in Caracas and La Guaira back into the streets, compounding fear in communities already living with damaged buildings and repeated tremors. AP reported no immediate new damage from the Monday aftershock, citing Jorge Rodriguez, the leader of Venezuela's National Assembly.

The humanitarian picture remains severe. AP reported a confirmed death toll of 1,450, with thousands still missing, while rescue teams from Venezuela and abroad continued searching collapsed buildings. Those figures remain fast-moving and should be treated as provisional until confirmed by a current official disaster update.

La Guaira, a port city on the Caribbean coast, has been among the most visible centres of the rescue effort. Images from the area showed Mexican Army rescue workers searching damaged structures and families sleeping outside homes considered unsafe.

The disaster is also a test of state capacity in a country already strained by economic crisis, fragile infrastructure and political instability. Delcy Rodriguez, described in reporting as acting president, has said the mission to locate survivors will continue, but public criticism has grown over the pace and coordination of the official response.

The immediate priority remains rescue, shelter and medical care. Longer-term questions over building safety, warning systems and emergency coordination are likely to follow once the search phase gives way to recovery.