Key facts
- Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez defended the government's response to recent earthquakes.
- The earthquakes, which struck on June 24, have resulted in over 2,500 confirmed deaths.
- Rodriguez rejected accusations of slow rescue efforts and under-reported casualty figures.
- Nearly 200 buildings were destroyed, primarily in Caracas and La Guaira.
- Search operations have largely concluded, shifting focus to body recovery.
- Mass graves are being considered due to overwhelmed infrastructure and a lack of storage space for bodies.
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez has defended her government's response to two devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24, rejecting criticism of slow rescue efforts and claims of under-reported casualty figures. The dual 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes leveled nearly 200 buildings across Caracas and the northern coastal state of La Guaira, with the official death toll nearing 2,600 by Friday, and thousands more reported missing. Rodriguez stated that rescue efforts were activated immediately and accused the media of weaponizing the tragedy. She also claimed that 80% of destroyed buildings were privately developed, without providing evidence. The disaster serves as a critical test for Rodriguez, whose 180-day interim mandate was set to expire. She has welcomed international aid, specifically thanking US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Search operations for survivors have concluded, with the focus shifting to body recovery, and the sheer volume of casualties has overwhelmed local infrastructure, leading to considerations of mass graves. A notable rescue involved Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, who survived eight days in an air pocket.