Venezuelans are continuing rescue and aid efforts in the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck near the capital, Caracas, in June. The quakes caused buildings to collapse, with over two and a half thousand deaths recorded so far. Tens of thousands of people remain missing, indicating the final death toll will be significantly higher.
Residents in Caracas and the nearby port of La Guiada, one of the most severely affected areas, are grappling with the devastation. Many have been left homeless, while students who were nearing graduation are mourning lost friends. Individuals like Gonzalo have been dedicating their time to searching for survivors trapped under collapsed structures.
Despite the arrival of international rescue teams, some citizens, including Gonzalo, have expressed dismay at the perceived shortage of aid from their own government. "As Venezuelans right now we cannot afford to stop and process. We are stuck in the loop of helping, helping, helping, helping, helping. We have to get each other out, we have to get each other out, which is a beautiful thing," Gonzalo stated. He added, "But the painful thing is that it's just a sign of how alone we are. How destroyed the network of this country is and that is the most desolating part of it all."