Venezuelan Circus Duo Brings Joy to Earthquake Victims

Katiuska Badillo and Josu Trincado, a Venezuelan circus couple, are performing for children displaced by the recent earthquakes that have impacted Venezuela, aiming to offer a moment of respite and reconnect them with innocence. Following the earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, which have killed 4,333 people and injured 16,740, the pair began taking their circus, El Panal Circus, to temporary shelters.

Currently, 18,437 people are housed in 94 government-run camps. Katiuska and Josu focus on performing ground routines, juggling, clubs, diabolos, unicycles, and giraffes, in locations where children are accompanied by their parents, though they are receiving increasing requests from shelters housing orphaned children.

They also distribute educational kits with coloring books and pencils, funded by donations from within Venezuela and abroad. The couple hopes to expand their reach to La Guaira, but logistical challenges and the need to care for their own two babies are currently keeping them focused on Caracas. They plan to continue performing as long as donations allow, believing that art can provide emotional healing.