LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Residents in Venezuela’s earthquake-ravaged northern region have begun searching collapsed buildings themselves as frustration grows over what survivors describe as limited government rescue efforts following the country’s devastating twin earthquakes.
Nearly two days after the powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck within seconds of each other, authorities reported at least 920 deaths, more than 3,300 injuries, and over 51,000 people listed as missing. Officials cautioned that missing-person reports may include duplicate entries and individuals who remain unreachable because telecommunications have been disrupted.
As hopes of finding survivors diminish with each passing hour, families continue digging through debris with hand tools while waiting for additional heavy equipment and specialized rescue teams.
Residents search through rubble for loved ones
In La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas, neighbors worked together to break apart collapsed concrete structures using hammers and power tools in an effort to reach those believed trapped beneath the rubble.
Nazareth Jimenez watched the rescue attempts while waiting for news of several family members, including siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends.
“My God, how are we going to get them out of there?” she said, urging authorities and the international community to provide heavy machinery capable of lifting collapsed buildings.
“There are still people alive in there,” she added.
Humanitarian organizations consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a major earthquake the most critical period for rescuing survivors, although those chances can improve if trapped individuals have access to food and water.
Government tightens access to disaster zone
On Friday evening, Venezuelan authorities announced new restrictions on access to La Guaira, citing growing traffic congestion and disorder that officials said were interfering with ongoing rescue operations.
Government officials said individuals seeking to enter the disaster zone would now require official authorization, although they did not immediately provide details regarding permit requirements or eligibility.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez acknowledged the scale of the disaster, saying authorities would remain transparent about the situation.
“Each person saved is a miracle,” Rodríguez said. “We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy.”
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the government had mobilized emergency resources during what she described as the critical phase for locating survivors and welcomed the arrival of international rescue teams and humanitarian assistance.
However, many residents said the assistance reaching affected communities remained insufficient compared with the scale of the destruction.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The earthquakes have compounded Venezuela’s existing economic and humanitarian challenges.
The International Organization for Migration estimated that as many as 6.76 million people may have been affected by the disaster, including roughly 2 million residents of Caracas.
Many displaced families continue sleeping outdoors while searching for missing relatives or mourning those confirmed dead.
Omar Reyes said approximately 20 members of his extended family died in the earthquakes.
“I’ve been left alone in this life,” he said while standing near the collapsed remains of a building where two of his children were believed to be buried.
Across affected communities, long lines formed outside grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience shops as businesses rationed customer access amid continuing shortages.
In Catia La Mar, some residents looted food and household supplies from damaged stores while others gathered around aid vehicles distributing bread and drinking water before soldiers restored order.
Temporary shelters made from tarps, hammocks, and tents also appeared in parking lots and public spaces throughout the disaster zone.
Rescue operations face logistical challenges
Emergency workers from Venezuela and abroad continued searching damaged buildings despite difficult operating conditions.
Officials said heavy traffic and large crowds repeatedly disrupted rescue efforts as first responders attempted to detect signs of life beneath collapsed structures.
Mexican rescue personnel and volunteers frequently requested silence while conducting acoustic searches, but passing vehicles and motorcycles often drowned out potential sounds from trapped survivors.
Authorities said 243 people had been rescued alive as of Friday afternoon.
Families continue waiting for answers
Among those awaiting news was Yuleidy Cadenas, who fled barefoot from a nearby building during the earthquakes only to discover that her mother’s 12-story apartment building had collapsed.
Standing near the rubble, she waited for information about her son, mother, and brother.
“I got on top of the rubble and told them to yell back, and nobody did,” Cadenas said. “I’m just here waiting for them.”
Moments later, rescue workers recovered another body from the debris, but it was not her mother’s.
Friday also marked her son’s 12th birthday.
International assistance expands
Venezuelan authorities said 861 international rescue personnel from countries including Mexico, the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, and Colombia had joined emergency operations, with additional teams expected to arrive in the coming days.
The United Nations said approximately 1,000 emergency responders organized into 25 international search-and-rescue teams were deploying to Venezuela.
Acting President Rodríguez also said she spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed U.S. support for dispatching additional rescue teams and emergency equipment.
Meanwhile, convoys carrying emergency personnel, military units, heavy machinery, and humanitarian supplies continued moving toward the disaster zone as rescue efforts entered another critical day.
Tags: Venezuela, Earthquake, La Guaira, Caracas, Search and Rescue, Humanitarian Crisis, Disaster Response, International Aid, Delcy Rodríguez, United Nations, Emergency Response, Missing Persons
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