Rescue Operations Intensify in La Guaira
Rescue teams in Venezuela are continuing a desperate search for survivors after twin devastating earthquakes left widespread destruction across the country. The death toll has now neared 1,450, while tens of thousands of people are still reported missing under collapsed buildings.
The hardest-hit area is the coastal state of La Guaira, located around 40 kilometers north of Caracas. International rescue teams have joined local volunteers in a large-scale operation to search through rubble and reach trapped victims.
Officials said the disaster struck at a time when Venezuela was already facing deep political and economic instability. The earthquakes have now added another layer of hardship for families already struggling with uncertainty, shortages, and weak public services.
Acting President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed that at least 3,150 people have been injured. More than 12,721 people have been displaced from their homes. He also said at least 774 buildings have completely collapsed.
Experts have warned that the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors has now passed. This has made the rescue mission even more difficult. However, emergency teams are still continuing their work with hope.
Children Pulled Alive From Rubble
Despite the scale of the tragedy, several emotional rescue operations have given hope to the affected communities. A Colombian rescue team saved an 11-year-old boy named Moises from three meters beneath the debris.
Rescuers used advanced scanning equipment to locate him. Moises survived with a broken arm, but his mother and sister were killed in the disaster.
In another operation, Mexican rescue workers saved another 11-year-old boy in the town of Caraballeda. US crews also released footage showing an infant being pulled alive from the ruins.
On Sunday, a father and son were also rescued from a collapsed building. These rare survival stories have encouraged rescue teams to continue searching, even as chances of finding people alive decrease with time.
Sebastian Eugster, who leads an 80-member Swiss rescue team, said search dogs have detected people trapped under the rubble. However, he warned that the chance of survival falls quickly with every passing hour.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The government has announced a presidential commission to assess structural damage across the affected region. Schools will remain closed for another week due to safety concerns.
Electricity has been restored to around 75 percent of La Guaira. However, many residents remain without stable shelter, clean water, medical support, and basic supplies.
The disaster has also created fresh political tension. Authorities have restricted access to several disaster zones, saying roads must remain open for emergency vehicles.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has announced plans to return to Venezuela from exile. Reports suggest the move has caused concern among officials in Washington, who believe the timing is sensitive because of the ongoing disaster.
The crisis has also affected Venezuela’s energy sector. The country’s largest oil refinery, Amuay, has suspended operations following major power grid failures in western Falcon state.
More than 2,600 international rescue workers are now assisting local teams on the ground. Pope Leo also expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people during his Sunday Angelus prayer. He offered blessings for the victims and thanked first responders.
The United States is expected to announce a major financial aid package worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This would come in addition to an initial $150 million commitment for long-term recovery and rehabilitation.
