Rescue efforts continued over the weekend in Venezuela, with more than 30 survivors pulled from the rubble following a series of devastating earthquakes. The death toll has risen to 1,430, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for as time for finding survivors dwindles.
Coastal La Guaira, near the capital Caracas, has been the hardest-hit state. Families and volunteers spent days searching through debris for survivors and bodies before the arrival of more than 1,600 foreign rescue workers. Many complained about a scarcity of heavy equipment and a limited official presence as hundreds of aftershocks continued to damage structures and keep residents on edge.
International rescue teams have reported successes, with U.S. crews rescuing a baby on Saturday. A video shared by the U.S. State Department showed rescuers carefully removing the blanket-wrapped infant from the rubble. A Colombian team saved an 11-year-old boy, Moises, who had been trapped several meters deep. His mother and sister were killed in the quake.
Mexican rescuers also pulled an 11-year-old boy from a collapsed building in Caraballeda.
The Venezuelan government, led by interim president Delcy Rodriguez, declared La Guaira a disaster zone. While thanking civilian volunteers, the government also imposed stricter access controls on the road to La Guaira, citing the need to prevent traffic from hindering emergency vehicle movement. Official permits are now required to enter the area, though details on who would be granted access were scarce.
Top lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez described the event as "the most disastrous" the country has experienced in 123 years, with large areas of towns and cities reduced to rubble. The government reported over 3,000 injuries and a similar number of people living in shelters. However, a website promoted by the country's political opposition indicated nearly 50,000 people were unaccounted for as of Sunday.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes could result in over 10,000 deaths, potentially ranking them among Latin America's deadliest in the last century.
Experts note that the window for rescuing live survivors is critically short, with probabilities decreasing significantly after approximately 72 hours. Many international rescue teams, including a Swiss contingent, have been working against this ticking clock. A British crisis-response team, Serve On, experienced delays in Madrid due to airport disruptions, highlighting the logistical challenges of reaching the affected areas. The primary international airport serving Caracas was also damaged, further complicating travel.
Among the personal tragedies, the wife of footballer Hector Bello, Andrea, was killed while shielding their one-year-old daughter, Alana, from the collapse of their home. Hector Bello shared his grief on social media, recounting how his wife saved their daughter's life.
Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the Venezuelan people and gratitude to rescue workers. The European Union has mobilized 5 million euros in emergency assistance, with its Copernicus satellite system aiding in damage assessment and aid delivery. The U.S. is expected to announce a significant funding package in addition to previous commitments.
The disaster has also brought political repercussions, with residents in heavily damaged areas voicing anger towards the government's response. The earthquakes have occurred amidst Venezuela's ongoing struggles with its power grid, which has been hampered by years of underinvestment and economic sanctions.