Rescuers in Venezuela have pulled a newborn baby alive from earthquake rubble after the infant was trapped for 32 hours. The rescue occurred in the city of La Guaira, which has been declared a disaster zone.
The baby's mother was also found alive, according to reports. The dramatic rescue comes as the death toll from two violent earthquakes that struck the South American nation has climbed to 920, with more than 51,000 people still missing.
Footage shows the moment rescuers moved the infant from the debris and handed it over to a man believed to be the father. The twin earthquakes, a magnitude 7.2 tremor followed seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude tremor, caused widespread devastation, collapsing homes and apartment buildings.
As the search for survivors continues, desperation grows. Aid agencies typically consider the first 48 to 72 hours crucial for finding survivors, though this can be extended with access to food and water. International rescue teams have arrived to bolster efforts.
In Caracas, residents jeered acting President Delcy Rodriguez during a visit to an area heavily affected by the quakes, expressing frustration over the government's response. Chants of "The government isn't doing anything for the people" were heard from behind cordons near a flattened building.
Authorities announced on Friday night that access to La Guaira, the epicenter of the destruction, would be restricted to manage chaos and aid search efforts. Official permits will be required for entry, though details on who will be allowed in remain scarce. More than 14,000 military and police personnel are patrolling the area.
Amidst the devastation, personal tragedies have come to light. Andrea Bello, the wife of a footballer, was killed while shielding her one-year-old daughter during the collapse of their home. Her daughter, Alana, survived due to her mother's actions. Her husband, Hector Bello, a defender for Marítimo de La Guaira, expressed his grief in social media posts.
Volunteers and civilians are engaged in desperate, often bare-handed, efforts to locate survivors, lamenting the lack of heavy machinery and official assistance. "Please, we need support here. We need machinery to start lifting the columns," said Marjosly Salazar, 40, who is searching for her five-month-old grandson Gael after her 16-year-old daughter died in the quake.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA confirmed that search and rescue teams from at least 17 countries are being mobilized, with teams from Spain, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, Mexico, and Britain already on the ground. French rescue officers are also en route.
Government forces have distributed food and water to survivors in La Guaira. Acting President Rodriguez stated that the government is mounting a full response and welcomed international aid. La Guaira has been militarized, but residents report that the aid provided is insufficient.
The disaster presents a significant challenge for Rodriguez, who assumed office earlier this year amid Venezuela's prolonged economic crisis and political turmoil. The legitimacy of her administration is rejected by many.
Rodriguez reported speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed their commitment to sending rescue teams and aid equipment.
Social media footage has shown desperate rescue attempts, including the extraction of a woman, Graciela Mora, covered in dust, and other injured individuals, including children. Dramatic scenes broadcast on Venezuelan state TV depicted rescues of individuals trapped under slabs, including a one-month-old baby found alive.
