Key facts
- Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast.
- Over 1,700 people have officially died, with tens of thousands reported missing.
- A 21-year-old survivor was rescued after 106 hours trapped under rubble.
- International aid, including search teams and financial assistance, has been deployed.
- US marines are assisting with port repairs in La Guaira, a heavily affected area.
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast last Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction and a rising death toll. Officially, over 1,700 people have died, but tens of thousands remain missing as desperate relatives search through rubble for loved ones. The scale of the disaster is still unfolding, with a 21-year-old survivor, Aaron Levi Cantillo Vargas, rescued after 106 hours trapped under a collapsed building.
Venezuelan journalist Clavel Rangel, reporting for The Guardian, described the scene as chaotic and highlighted the distrust many citizens have towards the government's response. She noted that official statistics may not reflect the true extent of the casualties, with civil society databases reporting over 40,000 missing people. Rangel also pointed out the irony of heavily armed military police patrolling affected areas, forces previously used to suppress dissent, while the government lacks essential equipment for search and rescue operations.
International aid has been crucial, with search teams from countries like Argentina and the UK arriving to assist. The US has pledged over $300 million in aid and is actively involved in repairing the port in La Guaira, a key area hit by the quakes. However, tensions remain, exemplified by an incident where Venezuela's security chief, Diosdado Cabello, berated US rescue teams. Despite such incidents, many Venezuelans are grateful for the international assistance, though they also express a desire for a government capable of building a more resilient country.
The disaster has also exposed the decay of Venezuela's infrastructure, including its seismic monitoring systems, which were once among the most advanced in the region. Aftershocks continue to rattle survivors, adding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.