Residents and volunteers in La Guaira, a popular beach destination where at least 100 buildings, primarily high-rise residences, were either destroyed or damaged, have expressed frustration over the lack of heavy machinery and limited official presence for days.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez shared in a late-night televised address that 10 additional countries were expected to join the rescue efforts, and 14,000 members of the military and police were deployed in La Guaira for patrols and health measures. “Recently, Venezuela has received 17 flights carrying over 1,600 rescue team members, with another 25 flights anticipated in the next 24 hours,” stated foreign ministry official Oliver Blanco.
“We appreciate the international community for its support and solidarity during these challenging times for Venezuelans,” Blanco expressed on X early Saturday morning.
Rescue teams have been navigating sites around La Guaira state and the capital Caracas, although on Friday many areas still lacked an official presence, leaving families and neighbors to search for missing loved ones amidst the debris, often using just their hands.
On Friday evening, officials closed the route connecting La Guaira to nearby Caracas, citing heavy traffic that hindered the prompt movement of emergency vehicles and official rescuers.
Civilians not part of the official rescue teams must present credentials to pass through the roadblock, and Reuters witnesses were turned away from the main route on Saturday morning by police, with an alternate secondary road heavily congested.
The government had previously expressed gratitude to civilians who transported aid, often via motorcycle, to those in need. Venezuelan state television showed footage of thousands of pairs of shoes, clothing, and other supplies being gathered by the government.
Power remained out near the earthquake’s epicenter in Moron on Friday, as well as completely down in La Guaira, although restoration was underway in some areas, with Rodriguez stating that 60% of electricity had been restored.
Venezuela’s power grid, long impaired by underinvestment and economic sanctions, frequently suffers from issues, resulting in daily, prolonged blackouts in various regions.
54,000 MISSING
While the government has reported that hundreds are missing or trapped, over 54,000 individuals are categorized as unaccounted for on a website endorsed by the opposition.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that more than 10,000 deaths could occur from the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which could rank among the deadliest in Latin American history.
The disaster’s aftermath could have political implications for Rodriguez, who has sought to present herself as a change agent, despite having served as vice president under Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted and arrested by the U.S. in January.
Rodriguez spoke on the phone with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday after a meeting with the U.S. military’s Northern Command and disaster management experts.
The U.S. announced it would mobilize $150 million in aid and ease sanctions, while its military dispatched two ships and indicated that helicopters and aircraft would support rescue efforts.
Among the rescue teams in La Guaira is a contingent from El Salvador, whose President Nayib Bukele has celebrated multiple rescues on his X account, including that of a 15-year-old girl.
Reports of looting have emerged from several locations in La Guaira, according to Reuters witnesses.
Venezuela’s oil production remained unaffected by the earthquakes, stated Oil Minister Paula Henao on Friday, assuring that fuel distribution would continue without interruption.
Oil executives and workers indicated that the sector had avoided significant infrastructure damage.
