Venezuela's Sucre State Hit by 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake, No Physical Damage or Deaths Reported

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit Venezuela's Sucre state Friday. No physical damage or deaths reported thus far.

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake shook Venezuela's Sucre state Friday. According to the Wall Street Journal, initial reports suggest that physical damage has been minimal and, thus far, there are no victims.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered about 375 kilometers east of the capital, Caracas, at a depth of 11.7 kilometers. The quake hit at 1:30 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).

The epicenter was located within a few hundred kilometers of key oil operations in the Orinoco belt, as well as upgrading and refining facilities in the city Puerto La Cruz. The petroleum infrastructure is located east and southeast of the area, in the neighboring states of Anzoategui and Monagas.

State-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela controls a 187,000-barrel-a-day refinery in Puerto La Cruz, located in Anzoategui. A refinery maintenance official, who asked not to be named, said the earthquake was felt at the refinery, but noted it was "mild." The official said no orders were given to evacuate, and the refinery continues to operate normally. Source: Wall Street Journal

It is safe to say that residents in the Caribbean and parts of South America are obviously unnerved by the earthquake in Haiti and now this.

Still developing. More to come.