The Arepazo for Venezuela: Venezuelan community in Trujillo Alto marks 15th World Arepa Day to benefit earthquake victims

This Saturday, September 12, the arepa will be much more than a dish - it will become a bridge of solidarity. Puerto Rico's Venezuelan community is celebrating the fifteenth edition of World Arepa Day at Placita San Miguel in Trujillo Alto, a day combining food, culture, and an urgent cause: raising funds for those affected by the earthquake that devastated Venezuela less than three months ago ¹.

The so-called "Arepazo" runs from 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the plaza located on Highway PR-181, Las Cuevas sector of Trujillo Alto, under the motto "Far away, but not absent: flavors united for Venezuela." The lineup includes food and drink vendors, live music, and family entertainment, organized by Placita San Miguel together with AM Events ¹.

Background: why this edition carries extra weight

This is not just another local festival. On June 24, 2026, two earthquakes struck just 39 seconds apart - a 7.2-magnitude quake near San Felipe, Yaracuy, and a 7.5-magnitude quake near Catia La Mar, La Guaira - devastating central and western Venezuela. By August 11, the death toll had reached 6,301, with 73,356 injured and roughly 29,500 missing ². A tsunami warning following the quake was even activated for Puerto Rico ².

In the days after the disaster, anxiety ran high among Venezuelans living on the island, many of whom spent entire nights trying to reach relatives. "We've barely slept," one Venezuelan resident in Puerto Rico told a local outlet while waiting for news of loved ones ³. Casa Venezuela in Puerto Rico and the Association of Venezuelans in Puerto Rico were contacted by Puerto Rico's Department of State to help coordinate humanitarian aid to the South American country ³.

Now, months after the quake, reconstruction in Venezuela continues and the diaspora on the island is working to sustain support. "The arepa connects us to our memories, our families, and to Venezuela, no matter how long we've been away," said Mary Carmen Diaz, vice president of Casa Venezuela in Puerto Rico ¹. Sonia Cosme, the organization's president, added that the purpose of the celebration "goes far beyond sharing our food" ¹.

What it means for you

If you live in the metro area or nearby municipalities like Carolina, Caguas, or San Juan, the Arepazo is a chance to directly support a community on the island that is still processing a recent tragedy, without needing to donate to an unfamiliar international organization: proceeds go to Casa Venezuela in Puerto Rico, an established local entity ¹. For families, it's also an affordable, culturally rich weekend plan: live music, varied food, and a family atmosphere at a plaza that is already a well-known food destination in Trujillo Alto ^{1 4}. And for the Venezuelan community specifically, the event is a public signal that Puerto Rico - home to tens of thousands of Venezuelans over the past decade - continues to stand with them after the earthquake news faded from the headlines.

How to attend / Checklist

1. Date and time: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. It's a one-day event, so plan to arrive early to beat the afternoon crowds ¹.
2. Address: Placita San Miguel, Highway PR-181, Las Cuevas sector, Trujillo Alto. GPS/Waze: search "Placita San Miguel, PR-181, Trujillo Alto" ⁴.
3. Parking: the plaza has its own parking area; if you arrive after 5:00 p.m., expect heavier traffic as metro-area commuters head home.
4. Admission: entry to the Arepazo is open to the public; your main expense will be food, drinks, and any extra donation you'd like to leave for Casa Venezuela ¹.
5. What to bring: cash or card for the food stands (confirm payment methods with each vendor), and comfortable clothing for a mostly outdoor event.
6. How to donate without attending: if you can't make it to Trujillo Alto but want to help, reach out directly to Casa Venezuela in Puerto Rico through its social media for alternate donation methods.
7. With kids: the event is described as family-friendly, with music and entertainment, making it suitable for bringing the little ones ¹.

What's next

Casa Venezuela in Puerto Rico has said its collaboration with the island's Department of State to channel humanitarian aid to Venezuela remains active months after the June earthquake ³, so similar community activities - fairs, fundraisers, and food events - are likely to continue through the rest of the year as reconstruction proceeds in the affected areas of Yaracuy and La Guaira. For the Venezuelan community on the island, World Arepa Day has become an annual fixture that goes beyond food: each future edition will likely keep serving as a barometer of how much support the diaspora in Puerto Rico can mobilize for its home country.

Sources

¹ La arepa se convierte en simbolo de solidaridad en Puerto Rico - Metro Puerto Rico ² Terremotos de Venezuela de 2026 - Wikipedia ³ "Casi no hemos dormido": a la expectativa venezolanos en Puerto Rico tras los terremotos en su pais - El Nuevo Dia ⁴ Placita San Miguel - Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico - Yelp