According to reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters, the humanitarian emergency has intensified pressure on Rodríguez’s administration as the official death toll rose to 2,645 on Friday, with more than 12,500 people reported injured. Thousands remain displaced, and search and recovery operations continue in the hardest-hit areas.

The political uncertainty has coincided with the expiration of Rodríguez’s 180-day interim mandate under Venezuela’s constitutional framework. Authorities had not immediately announced whether additional constitutional or legislative steps would follow.

Machado Calls for Return

Speaking from Panama, Machado said the earthquake had exposed weaknesses in the government’s emergency response and argued that she should return to Venezuela to help guide both recovery efforts and the country’s broader political transition.

She said the country needed trusted leadership at a time when many communities had criticized the pace and organization of official rescue operations. Machado’s political movement has also organized volunteers, collected humanitarian donations and established an online registry listing tens of thousands of people reported missing following the disaster.

Government Defends Emergency Response

Rodríguez rejected allegations that authorities reacted too slowly after the earthquakes, insisting emergency protocols were activated immediately and that thousands of civilian and military personnel had been deployed to affected communities.

During her first major news conference since the disaster, she dismissed criticism of the government’s response as politically motivated and said search-and-rescue operations remained active in locations where officials still believed survivors could be found. She also announced the creation of a reconstruction fund to support long-term recovery.

Residents in several affected areas have described a different experience, telling reporters that many neighborhoods relied heavily on volunteers and local residents during the first days after the earthquakes while waiting for heavy equipment and organized rescue teams to arrive.

U.S. Position Adds to Political Tensions

The Associated Press reported that senior U.S. officials, speaking anonymously because they were discussing private diplomatic conversations, said the Trump administration discouraged Machado from returning immediately after the earthquakes.

According to the officials, Washington was concerned that her return during the emergency could trigger political instability while recovery efforts remained underway. The officials also said the United States was not prepared to facilitate her travel, although it could not prevent her from returning independently.

Humanitarian Challenges Continue

International governments and aid organizations have pledged emergency assistance as concerns grow over deteriorating sanitation, damaged infrastructure and the risk of disease outbreaks in affected communities.

Relief agencies continue working to provide medical care, clean water and temporary shelter while search teams recover victims from collapsed buildings. Aid workers have warned that the full humanitarian impact may take weeks or months to assess as recovery operations continue.

The earthquakes represent one of the deadliest natural disasters in Venezuela’s recent history, leaving authorities to balance urgent humanitarian needs with an increasingly complex political landscape as recovery efforts move into a prolonged phase.

Tags: Venezuela, Earthquake, Delcy Rodríguez, María Corina Machado, Humanitarian Crisis, Disaster Response, Caracas, La Guaira, Search and Rescue, Political Transition, Reuters, Associated Press

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According to the Associated Press, at least 2,295 people have died following the twin earthquakes, while thousands more remain missing. The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed hospitals, forensic services and local authorities responsible for managing the dead, leaving many families navigating an increasingly difficult process to recover the bodies of loved ones.

Among them is Rosa López, who accompanied her daughter in the search for her missing husband after the disaster.

López, a former nurse, said she was confronted with rows of bodies wrapped in blankets and sheets awaiting identification, a scene she described as unlike anything she had experienced during her medical career.

Families Face Difficult Decisions

López’s 25-year-old son-in-law, José Antonio Toledo, was found beneath the building where he had been working as a security guard when the earthquakes struck.

His body was initially taken to a local hospital, but the facility lacked space to receive additional victims. Officials later transferred his remains to another location before they were eventually moved to an open parking area being used to hold bodies awaiting identification.

A forensic doctor later helped the family locate Toledo’s body.

After identifying him, relatives discovered they could not afford the approximately $450 required for funeral services. Later that night, local officials informed them that a cemetery plot had become available at no cost, allowing the family to bury him before the opportunity expired.

López said the burial spared her son-in-law from the possibility of being placed in a mass grave, a concern shared by many families as the number of fatalities continues to increase.

Recovery Effort Expected to Continue for Months

Forensic technician Joel Mirabal said recovery operations have continued without interruption since the earthquakes struck.

He estimated that relatives or neighbors are available to identify victims in roughly 60% to 70% of recoveries. In many cases, identification depends on tattoos, scars or clothing because bodies have been severely damaged.

Victims who cannot be immediately identified are transported to forensic specialists working at the Port of La Guaira, where refrigerated shipping containers donated by private companies are being used to preserve remains.

Mirabal said authorities expect the number of recovered bodies to continue rising as rescue teams remove additional debris from collapsed buildings. He added that forensic crews anticipate recovery operations could continue for as long as three months.

He also noted that many recoveries have been made possible through the efforts of local residents who have joined emergency personnel in searching damaged neighborhoods.

Long Waits Outside Makeshift Morgues

Outside the Port of La Guaira, families continue gathering each day in hopes of identifying loved ones as authorities transport newly recovered victims from across the disaster zone.

Funeral home vehicles and private cars formed long lines outside temporary morgue facilities while relatives waited for officials to complete identification procedures.

Among those waiting was Robert Rodríguez, whose family searched for Rafael Alvarado, his son-in-law. Alvarado died after becoming trapped inside the grocery store where he worked.

Rodríguez said relatives located Alvarado beneath the rubble before his body was transferred to the port for formal identification.

The family plans to cremate his remains and scatter his ashes on Isla de Margarita, the Venezuelan island where he had lived.

Recovery Challenges Continue

As search and recovery efforts continue across La Guaira, authorities remain focused on locating thousands of people still unaccounted for while processing an increasing number of fatalities.

The disaster has placed extraordinary pressure on forensic teams, hospitals and emergency services as Venezuela confronts one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.

Tags: Venezuela, La Guaira, Earthquake, Disaster Recovery, Missing Persons, Forensic Investigation, Humanitarian Crisis, José Antonio Toledo, Emergency Response, Search and Rescue, Natural Disaster, Americas

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The dramatic rescue of 43-year-old Hernán Alberto Gil Flores drew celebrations from Venezuelan and international rescue teams after he was pulled alive from the basement of a collapsed shopping center in La Guaira state. Trapped in an air pocket beneath concrete debris, Gil Flores survived after rescuers established contact with him and supplied food and water through narrow openings during an operation that lasted more than 100 hours.

Elsewhere in the coastal city of Catia La Mar, however, recovery efforts increasingly shifted from searching for survivors to retrieving victims. According to the AP, emergency personnel carried body bags through devastated neighborhoods while rescue teams from multiple countries continued responding to reports of possible survivors, often finding no signs of life.

The government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez said at least 2,295 people have been killed and more than 11,000 injured by the earthquakes. Thousands of residents remain displaced, with many staying in temporary shelters or sleeping outdoors as medical professionals warn that overcrowding and untreated injuries could increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.

Government Rejects Criticism of Disaster Response

Rodríguez defended her administration’s handling of the emergency during a news conference with foreign journalists, rejecting allegations that authorities were slow to respond in the critical hours after the earthquakes.

She said emergency services were activated immediately following the disaster while acknowledging that survivors, relatives and neighbors were naturally the first people to begin rescue efforts at collapsed buildings.

Responding to reports that residents in La Guaira conducted searches with their bare hands during the first two days after the earthquakes, Rodríguez described those accounts as politically motivated and said the government had mobilized all available public, private, national and international resources.

Her remarks came one day before the scheduled expiration of her 180-day mandate as acting leader. The AP reported that it remains unclear how Venezuela’s political leadership will proceed after Friday, although the country’s constitution outlines procedures for temporary presidential vacancies and allows the National Assembly to extend interim appointments or call a new election under certain circumstances.

Deportation Flight Survivor’s Family Seeks Answers

The disaster also affected Venezuelans who had recently been deported from the United States.

According to the AP, Daniel Alejandro Núñez Ramírez, 28, arrived in Venezuela on a deportation flight just hours before the earthquakes struck. His mother, Oswadeliz Nuñez, said he briefly called her after landing and told her he and other deportees had been transferred to a holding facility in La Guaira.

Approximately 30 minutes after their conversation ended, the earthquakes struck the region. Oswadeliz Nuñez later learned that her son had died when the building collapsed.

She questioned why her son had been housed in La Guaira instead of being allowed to return directly to his family in Caracas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security told the AP that responsibility for the deportees was transferred to Venezuelan authorities after the flight landed.

U.S. Backs Relief Efforts

The AP reported that the United States has expanded its involvement in Venezuela following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, backing Rodríguez’s administration and supporting disaster relief operations.

According to the report, the United States has committed more than $300 million in assistance and deployed approximately 900 military personnel to support rescue and humanitarian operations.

Rodríguez thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their assistance, saying they remained engaged throughout the emergency.

John M. Barrett, the U.S. chargé d’affaires to Venezuela, said revenue from Venezuelan oil production administered under U.S. Treasury oversight is being directed toward reconstruction efforts, including shelter, sanitation, healthcare and energy generation projects. He added that the country’s oil and gas production had not been directly affected by the earthquakes and continues to increase.

Transparency Questions Remain

Laura Cristina Dib, Venezuela program director at the Washington Office on Latin America, said oversight of reconstruction funding will be essential to ensure assistance reaches those affected by the disaster.

She told the AP that questions remain about transparency in the management of the funds and stressed the importance of ensuring resources are used to support Venezuelans recovering from the earthquakes.

As rescue operations continue, authorities and humanitarian organizations remain focused on assisting displaced communities while recovery teams work across some of the country’s hardest-hit areas.

Tags: Venezuela, Earthquake, La Guaira, Catia La Mar, Delcy Rodríguez, Humanitarian Crisis, Disaster Response, United States, Search and Rescue, Relief Efforts, Americas, Reconstruction

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Published: October 10, 2025, 22:45 EDT

Togo International Samuel Asamoah Suffers Severe Neck Injury in China

Togolese footballer Samuel Asamoah is recovering in hospital after suffering a broken neck during a match in China’s League One, according to his club Guangxi Pingguo. The midfielder sustained the injury on Sunday after a collision with an advertising board during a game, leading to immediate medical evacuation and surgery.

The club confirmed that Asamoah underwent a complex spinal operation that was successful, and he is now in stable condition.

The Incident: Collision Leads to Fractured Cervical Vertebrae

The accident occurred when Asamoah was pushed off the pitch during a challenge near the touchline. He lost balance and collided head-first with the perimeter boards surrounding the field.

Guangxi Pingguo said in an official statement that Asamoah suffered “dislocation and fractures of the cervical vertebrae” along with nerve compression. Medical staff at the scene immediately immobilized the player before rushing him to hospital.

The club added that the 31-year-old midfielder faced a “risk of high-level paraplegia,” a condition that can result in partial or total loss of function in the lower body.

Club Statement: Player in Stable Condition After Surgery

On Wednesday, Guangxi Pingguo released an update announcing that Asamoah’s surgery had been successful and that he was now recovering in stable condition.

In a photograph shared by the club on social media, Asamoah was seen in a hospital bed giving two thumbs up — a gesture that reassured fans and teammates concerned about his condition.

“The operation was successful, and Samuel is stable and conscious. We thank all supporters and medical staff for their assistance,” the club said in its statement.

Season Over and Future in Doubt

Doctors have ruled Asamoah out for the rest of the season as he begins what could be a lengthy recovery process. Guangxi Pingguo acknowledged that his professional future remains uncertain, given the severity of his injuries and the risks associated with spinal trauma.

“His future in football is unclear at this stage,” the club added, noting that rehabilitation will determine the extent of his recovery.

Sports medicine experts have said cervical spine injuries in contact sports can be career-threatening, especially when nerve damage is involved.

Football Community Rallies Around Asamoah

Messages of support have poured in from across the football community, including former teammates and fellow professionals in Asia and Africa. The Togolese Football Federation expressed solidarity with the player, wishing him a “swift and full recovery.”

Fans of Guangxi Pingguo also flooded the club’s social media pages with messages of encouragement, calling Asamoah a “fighter” and “true professional.”

Background: Asamoah’s Career Across Continents

Born in Accra, Ghana, and later representing Togo internationally, Asamoah has had a versatile career across several European and Asian clubs. He began his professional journey in Belgium with K.A.S. Eupen before moving to Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League.

Asamoah later joined the Chinese League One side Guangxi Pingguo, where he quickly became a key midfielder known for his stamina, composure, and playmaking ability.

He has earned multiple caps for Togo’s national team, contributing to several Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and regional tournaments.

Safety Concerns Renewed After Pitch-Side Injury

Asamoah’s injury has reignited debate about player safety standards in lower-tier leagues and the placement of advertising boards near the field of play.

Football analysts and safety advocates argue that perimeter barriers are often positioned too close to the sidelines, leaving players vulnerable to high-impact collisions.

A spokesperson for the Togo Football Federation said it plans to raise the issue with FIFA and continental governing bodies to ensure that all leagues follow international safety guidelines.

Club Vows Support During Recovery

Guangxi Pingguo said it will provide full medical and financial support for Asamoah’s rehabilitation. The club’s management also thanked hospital staff and fans for their concern, calling the player’s recovery a “top priority.”

“We stand by Samuel during his recovery and will do everything possible to help him regain his health,” the club’s statement read.

Doctors have advised that the next three months will be crucial in determining the long-term outcome of his recovery.

Source: CNN – Soccer player Samuel Asamoah breaks neck after colliding with advertising board during match

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“I knew immediately I had had a stroke,” he told CNN.

The stroke was on the right side of his brain, leaving the left side of his body “completely incapacitated” and causing his speech to be slurred, said Shortz, 72.

It didn’t affect his ability to solve and make puzzles, he said – a gift for the millions of people who enjoy his work as the crossword editor of the New York Times and the puzzlemaster of NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday,” roles he’s held for decades.

With a right-brain injury, “his ability to say the right words, write and gesture, as well as understand those things, are not likely to be affected,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent. But the opposite side of the body is affected, which left Shortz with the weakness on his left side.

Strokes are caused when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain or, less frequently, when a blood vessel ruptures and causes bleeding in the brain. Almost 800,000 people in the United States are estimated to have a stroke each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 165,000 die from stroke, making it one of the country’s leading causes of death.

Patients can recover, even fully, with the help of months of rehabilitation work.

Eight months into his recovery, Shortz said he feels “great, but it’s just that my body isn’t perfect yet.” He shared with CNN the details of his rehabilitation, what he wishes he’d done differently from the start and how strategies that he uses to tackle crossword puzzles have helped him through some of the hardest parts of recovery.

Getting help fast

That evening in February, Shortz knew that he needed to get emergency treatment quickly. But because it was winter and he was dressed for a game of table tennis – another of what he calls his “obsessions” – he decided to change into warmer clothes and use the bathroom before going to the hospital.

It was there that he “crumpled to the floor,” he said. Without his phone and unable to get back up or even to crawl, Shortz began to worry. Somehow, though, he said he was able to “squirm like a worm on my back” into his office to get his phone and call his partner, who came immediately and called an ambulance.

Even with the 15 minutes he spent on the floor, Shortz said, he was at the hospital within an hour. Such quick care, stroke experts emphasize, is crucial.

“Time is brain,” said Dr. Michelle Lin, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. “For every single minute that there’s a delay in presenting to a doctor’s office or emergency room, about 2 million neurons die.”

Lin said she recommends that people who suspect they’ve had a stroke call 911 for an ambulance to get emergency care as fast as possible.

One way to recognize stroke symptoms, she said, is to use the mnemonic device B.E. F.A.S.T. It stands for:

• Balance
• Eyes
• Face
• Arms
• Speech
• Time

If people notice changes in balance or vision, weakness or numbness in their face or arms, or trouble with speech, it’s important to seek emergency care in as short a time as possible, Lin emphasized.

Shortz’s initial treatment

Shortz said he spent more than a week in emergency care at the hospital, where staffers got him on his feet “as quickly as they could.” From there, he spent several weeks in a rehabilitation center doing both occupational and physical therapy before moving to a “subacute” facility for a month. There, he did 2½ to three hours of therapy every day.

“That’s the kind of physical therapy and occupational therapy we hope all of our patients could get,” said Dr. S. Andrew Josephson, professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of California San Francisco. “It’s a long process to get the brain to recover and rewire, but we have more and more science that tells us that these types of aggressive rehabilitation approaches end up helping people have better outcomes.”

One thing Shortz wishes he’d done differently is to work his left arm as early and as much as he worked on everything else. Initially, he said, he treated it as you would an injury that needs rest to heal on its own.

“I didn’t use it very much,” he recalled. “But when you’ve had a stroke, what you want is for your brain to reconnect or make new connection with your neurons, your nervous system. So I should have been using my arm as much as possible from the start.”

By April, Shortz was facing an important event, one he hadn’t missed since he founded it in 1978: the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. He left the subacute rehabilitation facility, went home and went to the tournament in a wheelchair.

“I’m so glad I did,” Shortz said. “When I was wheeled into the ballroom with almost 1,000 people, there was a standing ovation, which was very rewarding.”

The myth of the ‘golden window’

Since then, Shortz said, he’s continued therapy seven days a week. He does outpatient physical and occupational therapy at a nearby hospital twice a week, working with a therapist at home and going to a local place called Rehabologym that has an approach he particularly enjoys: “You play games and do exercises,” Shortz said. He’s also continued table tennis.

Varying exercises in that way is an important part of strengthening the brain, Gupta said.

“The best way to exercise the brain is to work different parts of it – so adding in movement, like Will, and doing new activities is what helps keep the brain growing and working at its optimal level,” he said.

Shortz said he can now walk with a cane and is starting to get some use of his left hand back, and he feels that he’s still improving.

“I’ve heard and read that all the progress you can make in recovery from a stroke is going to happen within three to six months,” he said. “A lot of stroke victims have written me since then that that is not true, that you continue to make improvement, really for the rest of your life.”

It’s true that recovery can continue beyond what was previously thought of as the “golden window” of the first six months, Lin said. “I do not think that there’s a timestamp to recovery, because our brain is really quite plastic,” she said.

Josephson agreed. “We know that the brain continues to heal for many years to come,” he added.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/19/health/crossword-will-shortz-stroke-recovery-wellness/index.html

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