Aftershock frays nerves as many Venezuelans left to fend for themselves
Aftershock Escalates Strain on Venezuelans as Rescue Efforts Lag
Aftershock frays nerves as many Venezuelans - Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck the northern region of La Guaira within 39 seconds, collapsing nearly 800 structures and leaving tens of thousands unaccounted for. Despite the scale of the disaster, Venezuela’s government has been slow to deploy substantial aid, forcing residents to take the lead in recovery efforts. In the port city of La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas, locals used crowbars, mallets, and pickaxes to dig through debris in search of survivors and missing family members.
On Monday, an aftershock of magnitude 4.6 rattled La Guaira and Caracas, intensifying the emotional toll on those still trapped. While no additional damage was reported, the tremor added to the anxiety of a population grappling with uncertainty. Over 1,700 lives were lost in what interim president Delcy Rodríguez called the country’s "most brutal natural catastrophe." International teams and volunteers have joined the search, but progress remains slow, hindered by insufficient equipment and delayed response.
Residents Take Initiative Amid Government Inaction
Local efforts in La Guaira have been persistent, with individuals working for days to clear rubble from single buildings. Ruben Rojas, a 32-year-old electrician, described the situation:
"The civil protection people decided to help, but they don’t have the equipment. The government doesn’t give it. They are just like us, working with their hands."
Similarly, Carolyn Zerpa, 39, recounted her struggle to locate her father and brother under the rubble:
"You can’t really do much with just a pickaxe," she told BBC Mundo.
Her focus has now shifted from rescue to recovery, aiming to locate the remains of her family for a proper burial.
In Catia La Mar, anger toward authorities grew as search-and-rescue operations relied heavily on local volunteers and international teams. The BBC observed police and military personnel on the streets but noted their absence from the rubble itself. Meanwhile, in the mountainous area of El Junquito, west of Caracas, few public officials were seen, while farmers and community members provided basic supplies to those in need. “We are waiting for answers, for debris to be cleaned up, for inspections, for people who have been really affected to be helped,” said resident Keily Ibarra, 33, according to Reuters.
Global Support and Systematic Assessment
On Monday, Rodríguez announced the deployment of over 25,000 emergency workers, police, and soldiers to assist victims. She emphasized on social media: “Every life saved is a victory for hope.” A new commission, led by her brother Jorge Rodríguez, will evaluate the damage and use a color-coded system to determine safe return conditions for affected residents. Temporary shelters are also being established for displaced individuals.
Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele revealed that teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador rescued a 21-year-old man in Caraballeda after he was trapped for over 100 hours. The survivor, Aaron Levi Cantillo Vargas, is receiving specialized medical care, with rescuers expressing hope for additional lives to be saved. The UN’s humanitarian coordinator, Gianluca Rampolla Del Tindaro, noted more than 500 aftershocks and confirmed that at least 2,500 structures were damaged, with most fully collapsed. The agency is preparing 10,000 body bags for the ongoing operation.
As the days pass, the focus remains on both survival and rebuilding. Venezuelans, left to fend for themselves, continue their tireless efforts in the face of overwhelming challenges. The earthquakes have exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s infrastructure and emergency response, compounded by its economic struggles. For many, the search for survivors has turned into a race against time—and the uncertain future that awaits those who remain.