By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Venezuela has stepped up its response to one of the deadliest natural disasters in its modern history, welcoming more than 1,600 international rescue workers as the search for survivors enters a critical stage following two powerful earthquakes that devastated large parts of the country earlier this week.
Authorities confirmed that the rescue specialists arrived aboard 17 international flights, bringing highly trained personnel, search dogs, heavy machinery, and emergency medical equipment to assist local crews working around the clock. Officials also announced that another 25 flights carrying additional rescuers and humanitarian aid are expected to arrive within the next 24 hours, further expanding the international relief operation.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have claimed the lives of more than 900 people, while thousands remain injured, trapped beneath collapsed buildings, or missing. The coastal state of La Guaira, one of Venezuela’s most popular tourist destinations, has suffered the worst destruction, with more than 100 residential towers and other structures either collapsing completely or sustaining severe damage.
For several days, residents, volunteers, and community groups complained that rescue operations lacked sufficient heavy equipment and official support. Many desperate families resorted to digging through mountains of rubble with their bare hands in hopes of finding relatives still alive. Despite the arrival of international rescue teams, many neighborhoods continue to face enormous challenges as emergency crews struggle to reach every affected area.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said that rescue operations are expanding rapidly with support from countries around the world. She added that nearly 14,000 members of Venezuela’s military and police have been deployed across La Guaira to assist with rescue work, maintain public order, distribute aid, and implement health measures aimed at preventing disease outbreaks in disaster zones.
Foreign Ministry official Oliver Blanco expressed gratitude for the overwhelming international response, saying Venezuela deeply appreciates the solidarity shown by the global community during one of the country’s darkest moments. According to government officials, rescue teams from at least 10 more nations are expected to join the operation in the coming days.
Authorities have tightened security around the disaster zone by restricting access to the heavily damaged areas. The main highway connecting Caracas and La Guaira has been closed to all but authorized emergency vehicles after severe traffic congestion slowed rescue efforts. Civilians wishing to enter the restricted zone must now obtain official credentials, while accredited journalists are only permitted to travel using government-organized transportation. Police have also blocked access to the main highway for unauthorized vehicles.
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid continues to pour into the country. Thousands of donations, including clothing, shoes, food, and emergency supplies, have been collected and distributed to survivors who lost everything in the disaster. Motorcyclists and volunteers have played a vital role in delivering supplies to communities that remain difficult to reach.
Electricity restoration efforts are also making gradual progress. Government officials reported that approximately 60% of power service has now been restored in affected regions, although communities closest to the earthquake’s epicenter, including parts of Morón and La Guaira, continue to experience widespread blackouts. Venezuela’s aging electrical grid, weakened by years of underinvestment and recurring infrastructure problems, has complicated recovery efforts.
The humanitarian crisis remains severe. While the government says hundreds of people are still trapped or missing, an opposition-backed online registry has listed more than 54,000 individuals as unaccounted for, highlighting the immense uncertainty facing thousands of families desperately searching for loved ones.
The United Nations estimates that nearly seven million people may ultimately be affected by the disaster, with direct economic losses reaching approximately $6.7 billion. The U.S. Geological Survey has warned that the eventual death toll could exceed 10,000 if large numbers of people remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
International assistance continues to grow. The United States is preparing a major financial aid package worth hundreds of millions of dollars in addition to the $150 million already committed. American rescue teams equipped with specialized search dogs and heavy rescue equipment are already operating in Venezuela and have reportedly rescued survivors from collapsed buildings.
Several other countries have also joined the relief effort. Argentina has dispatched rescue aircraft and personnel, while Qatar and Germany have sent specialized emergency teams to assist with search operations. El Salvador’s rescue crews have also been credited with several successful rescues, including saving a 15-year-old girl from beneath the rubble.
Despite the massive rescue effort, isolated incidents of looting have been reported in parts of La Guaira, prompting authorities to increase security patrols. Officials have reassured the public that Venezuela’s oil production remains unaffected by the earthquakes and that fuel supplies will continue without interruption.
As rescue workers from around the world continue searching collapsed buildings, hopes of finding additional survivors remain alive. However, with each passing hour, the challenge grows greater, making the international response one of the largest humanitarian rescue operations Venezuela has ever witnessed.
Source Reuters
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