The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to at least 920, with more than 3,300 injured and tens of thousands reported missing, according to officials. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit the country's northern shore on Wednesday.
American search and rescue teams from Virginia, California, and Florida were dispatched Friday to aid in recovery efforts, joining international partners. The U.S. has pledged $150 million in emergency aid and deployed naval ships. U.S. Southern Command stated that the Department of War is moving critical life-saving equipment to the affected region. Los Angeles County fire units, along with Fairfax County, Virginia, units are among those trained for international disaster response.
The U.S. teams have brought specialized equipment, including concrete-busting machines and listening devices to locate survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. Authorities reported that 243 people have been rescued so far.
Residents and aid agencies have expressed concerns about the pace of the government's response, with some reporting a limited presence of state rescue teams in the hardest-hit areas, particularly in La Guaira, where the most severe destruction occurred. The first 48 to 72 hours are considered the most critical window for retrieving survivors.
Venezuelan authorities announced Friday night that access to La Guaira would be restricted to search teams operating without public interference, requiring permits for entry. This move followed reports of residents taking matters into their own hands to search for missing loved ones.
The Venezuelan government, led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, has been distributing food and water to survivors, but residents have indicated that these supplies are insufficient. The ongoing crisis presents a significant challenge to Rodriguez's leadership and the legitimacy of her government, which assumed power following an operation that removed former President Nicolás Maduro.