Venezuelans fend for themselves after twin earthquakes as aftershock rattles nerves
More than 1,700 people died in last week's twin earthquakes in Venezuela, but government help has been slow to reach many areas. Residents are using basic tools to dig through rubble, while international aid begins to arrive.
Aftermath of the quakes
Last Wednesday, two powerful earthquakes—magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5—struck the northern state of La Guaira just 39 seconds apart, causing nearly 800 buildings to collapse. The death toll has surpassed 1,700, and tens of thousands remain missing. On Monday morning, a 4.6-magnitude aftershock shook the region, further fraying residents' nerves but causing no additional damage.
Rescue efforts and local frustration
In the hard-hit port city of La Guaira, residents have been using crowbars, mallets, and pickaxes to search for loved ones. Many areas have seen little to no government assistance. Local volunteers and international teams are leading search-and-rescue operations. One electrician, who has been digging with only gloves and a hard hat, told the BBC that civil protection personnel lack equipment, leaving them to work with their hands like everyone else.
A woman searching for her father and brother under rubble acknowledged that a pickaxe is insufficient, and her focus has shifted from rescue to recovering remains for a proper burial. In El Junquito, a mountainous area west of Caracas, residents report few public officials; farmers and neighbors are providing basic supplies.
Government response and international aid
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez stated that over 25,000 emergency workers, police, and soldiers have been deployed. She announced a commission led by her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, to assess damage and classify building safety using a color-coded traffic light system. Temporary camps are being set up for displaced people.
A 21-year-old man was pulled alive from the rubble after more than 100 hours, thanks to teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador. The UN's humanitarian coordinator reported over 500 aftershocks and at least 2,500 damaged structures, most completely collapsed. The UN is procuring 10,000 body bags, anticipating a rise in the death toll.
The US has increased aid to $300 million, including a naval vessel delivering supplies to coastal areas. China pledged nearly $15 million, and the Netherlands is sending a ship with emergency supplies.
