Earthquake deals devastating blow to Venezuela amid uncertainty

Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday, with the death toll still rising. The natural disaster is a severe blow to a country already mired in uncertainty. It has been less than six months since leftist leader Nicolás Maduro, who had ruled since 2013, was seized by US forces in a dawn raid on his presidential compound and taken to New York to face drug-trafficking charges. Since then, Venezuela has been governed by Maduro's ally and former vice-president Delcy Rodríguez, much to the disappointment of the opposition, who had hoped the Trump administration would put opposition leader María Corina Machado in charge.

Rodríguez's response to the quake has revealed both changes and persistent challenges. She addressed the nation on state television more than two hours after the quakes. Prior to that, official information had been scarce, partly due to damaged communication lines and partly due to restrictions on independent media under Maduro's government, which had closed hundreds of local radio stations and news sites. During her address, she was flanked by her brother Jorge, president of the National Assembly, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who was not wearing military fatigues this time. Rodríguez, visibly shaken, called for unity, declared a state of emergency, and tasked National Guard commander General Juan Ernesto Sulbarán with leading the emergency response.

Analysts say that over the years, Venezuela's infrastructure has suffered from military control of key ministries, where generals often lacked expertise. Rodríguez recently replaced the housing minister (a general) with a civilian architect and the electricity minister (a general) with an electrical engineer. However, years of shortages, exacerbated by US sanctions, and mismanagement have left many public housing units in poor condition, making them prone to collapse. Military priorities have also meant that civil protection units lack modern equipment.

Acknowledging these shortcomings, Rodríguez expressed gratitude to foreign governments offering help, including US President Donald Trump, noting "constant contact" and support. She also spoke to the presidents of the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Chile—all right-wing leaders. This openness to accepting help from ideologically distant countries marks a clear break from Maduro's policy, which limited aid to ideological allies. For Venezuelans waking up to devastation and searching for missing relatives, this willingness to let in critical help offers a ray of hope amid anguish and uncertainty.

© BBC World