Venezuela seeks international help as rescue efforts continue after deadly earthquakes
Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited the coastal community of Macuto in La Guaira state on Thursday, one of the areas most severely affected by the powerful earthquakes that struck the country and caused widespread building collapses.
During her visit, Rodríguez said the government remained focused on search-and-rescue operations and supporting affected families.
“We are here accompanying our people in the search and rescue of people who were trapped by structures and buildings that collapsed. We are accompanying the families; we extend our solidarity and hope to recover as many people alive as possible,” she said.
Authorities have identified La Guaira as one of the hardest-hit areas, with extensive damage reported to hotels, homes and tourist buildings. Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble for survivors.
Rodríguez also announced that Venezuela had requested international assistance to strengthen rescue operations.
“We have requested international help. The first rescuers arriving from the Dominican Republic are already about to land, and in the coming hours, others will arrive from the rest of the countries of the international community,” she said.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within seconds of each other. The first measured magnitude 7.2, followed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. The epicentres were located near Morón, west of Caracas, at shallow depths.
Emergency authorities continue to assess the damage as search-and-rescue operations remain underway in the affected regions.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
