Rescue teams race against the clock to find survivors of Venezuela earthquake – National
Local and international rescue teams raced against the clock to pull survivors from Venezuela’s wreckage on Sunday, four days after two powerful earthquakes rocked the northern state of La Guaira.
The government reported 1,450 dead from the earthquake on Sunday afternoon as it faced growing criticism from Venezuelans that its response was inadequate and overshadowed by civilian-led efforts to rescue people buried under collapsed buildings.
Thousands have been reported missing, according to a database used by families searching for their loved ones.
Although the chances of finding people alive dwindled every hour, rescuers continued to free some survivors from the mountains of rubble, giving hope to distressed families. The first 48 to 72 hours after a natural disaster are critical to rescue efforts, although survival can be extended if people have access to food and water.
More than 2,200 rescuers from around the world arrived on Saturday, the UN said, and more are still arriving. As the smell of rotting bodies spread, many people began to wear masks.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult job, but we’re getting stronger,” said Jason Mercano, a resident who was able to communicate with the family buried under the rubble on social media.
“We never gave up hope,” he added.
Crowds of people gathered to watch as rescue workers from America and France pulled a man and his son from the rubble on Sunday morning and carefully carried them on a black tarpaulin into an ambulance.
The people of Venezuela are facing a tragedy
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Even so, many Venezuelans are still struggling to hold on to hope in this escalating situation. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck last Wednesday left a trail of massive damage.
Authorities said Sunday that more than 770 buildings were completely or partially destroyed by the quake, twice as many as were reported destroyed or damaged on Friday. The risk of further damage remains as aftershocks continue to rock Venezuela; A 4.2 and 4.5 earthquake struck on Sunday morning.
Many who live in disaster areas say that they have not seen much of their government since the earthquake. But rescue efforts in La Guaira – the worst-hit area – appeared to be more organized on Sunday as international rescue teams arrived in droves. In recent days, its residents have expressed frustration and anger at the level of response.
The government reported on state television that more than 14,000 members of the military and police are now patrolling the La Guaira region, where access is restricted and special entry permits are required.
Because of the chaos and poor cell phone service since the earthquake, many Venezuelans have turned to non-governmental digital websites to report their loved ones as missing. More than 50,000 people have been reported missing on one such list, although it is unclear how many have been found.
Unity and signs of health
In the coastal town of Catia La Mar, Venezuelan rescue teams called for survivors after finding signs of life. They gave instructions to the man whose family watched anxiously as workers discussed how to get him to safety.
Despite the high demand for medical services and the lack of resources in Venezuela’s public health system, the Domingo Luciani Hospital in the capital Caracas has faced an influx of patients due to a flood of donations.
“We have a lot of patients, but thank God, people responded by bringing us a lot of things,” said Leomery Pérez, an anesthesiologist at the hospital.
Authorities said they have treated more than 3,100 injured people, including many wounded.
Long-term challenges
The crisis poses a major challenge to acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a former vice president who took office in January after the US impeachment and ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro.
Since then, the US government has played an increasing role in determining the future of the South American nation. Venezuela has faced economic stagnation for more than a decade, and many people reject the legitimacy of the political movement that Rodríguez represents.
The country is now facing very difficult conditions, said Ronal Rodríguez, a researcher at the Venezuelan Observatory in Bogotá at the University of Rosario.
“There is the political interference of the United States, the ineffectiveness of the government that has driven the country into a complex humanitarian crisis and, suddenly, an earthquake in an area that lacks people and temporary resources to cope with the situation,” he said.
The UN’s migration agency said up to 6.8 million people could be affected by the earthquake. The International Organization for Migration said it is working with the Venezuelan government, the United Nations and humanitarian groups to respond in an organized way.
“It’s already clear that migration is going to increase, as people seek safety,” said Amy Pope, director general.
–Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Associated Press reporters Andry Rincón, Fernando Vergara and Matías Delacroix in La Guaira, Venezuela; Jorge Rueda in Caracas, Venezuela; Clara Preve in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Elliot Spagat in San Diego, contributed to this report.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
