Venezuela earthquakes: The death toll rises to at least 1,430 people, and the critical window to rescue survivors narrows after the deadly earthquakes

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Tensions flared Saturday as despair grew in Venezuela’s La Guaira state as rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors and the death toll rose sharply to 1,430.

Families reported at least 68,900 people missing on Saturday, three days after 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes devastated the South American country.

Venezuelans searching for loved ones and neighbors used shovels, heavy equipment, ropes and bare hands on piles of fallen concrete throughout La Guaira, one of the worst-hit states. They were joined by a growing number of international rescue teams who began climbing through the rubble, giving a glimmer of hope to the stricken families.

Tensions peaked over what many Venezuelans saw as an inadequate response by the government, whose soldiers, firefighters, police and cadets were clearly unprepared to respond to the scale of the tragedy. Frustration has been exacerbated by efforts to project an image of a strong state response.

Relief agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours crucial to recovering people alive, although this can be extended if they have access to food and water. Venezuelan officials said 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 rescue team members had landed by Saturday.

With 72 hours having passed since the earthquakes occurred, many felt like every minute was ticking away as time was running out to save people alive.

“There’s a pile of bodies from last night. Newborn babies,” said Melede Romero, who was among those searching the coastal town of Caraballada. “At eight o’clock in the evening (yesterday) there were people alive there, and they did not bother to rescue them. We found several bodies, and they did not help us recover them either. What are they waiting for?”

See also: How to help victims of deadly earthquakes in Venezuela

Tensions mount during rescue efforts

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on state television that more than 14,000 military and police personnel were patrolling the area, where access was now blocked and special permits were required to enter. But many in disaster areas said they saw little of their government.

Some people climbed onto the remains of the buildings and shouted names, hoping for any evidence of life. Coastal communities covered in dust. In the intense heat, more people wore masks as the smell of decomposition spread. In other parts of La Guaira, teams loaded piles of bodies – some in white bags, others naked – onto white trucks from a dirt hospital parking lot, where they were identified.

Without hard hats or other equipment, rescuers and civilians wore motorcycle helmets as they searched piles of debris that were once people’s property: Eddie Murphy and Nemo DVDs, a kitchen sink, mattresses and shoes.

Some, frustrated by the government’s response, blocked an excavator from leaving the collapse site and pulled an operator from its cabin shortly after state workers took selfies in front of collapsed buildings and left without help. Ruling party officials often take selfies to show their participation in government-related events.

A few feet away, at least five bodies were wrapped in blankets.

Jason Marcano, a member of the crowd, said those who searched received some assistance from the investigations unit but were not helped by the police or the National Guard.

“They came to eat arepas and take pictures to make it look like they were working,” Marcano said. “They didn’t even get their uniforms dirty like we did. We’ve been here for three days.”

A minute later, a man tried to grab a firefighter, screaming and cursing. “Hush! Hush!” Rescuers shouted as they tried to confirm whether a trapped person was alive.

Meanwhile, an elderly man was recovered from the rubble of the public housing building. He was clearly confused and begged the nurse for water. He fought with the employees who put him in a pickup truck, screaming: “My family! My family!”

Searches are mixed with uncertainty

The International Organization for Migration said that more than six million people could be affected, about two million in the capital, Caracas alone.

Experts said the destruction was exacerbated by a rapid succession of surface earthquakes. Over the course of days, smaller aftershocks have occasionally rocked the capital, Caracas, and areas hit by earthquakes, including a 4.8-magnitude quake on Saturday.

The disaster poses a major challenge for Rodriguez, a former vice president who took office in January after the US arrest and removal of then-President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela has faced economic chaos for more than a decade, and many people reject the legitimacy of the political movement that Rodriguez represents.

Research teams and foreign aid continued to arrive from Mexico, the United States, Brazil, El Salvador, France and elsewhere.

On Saturday, Mexican rescue teams climbed over collapsed buildings and stuck their heads into holes in the lumpy concrete to search for signs of life, occasionally hearing movement.

“We are rescuers from the Mexican Army, if there is anyone still alive, make a noise or scream. Now!” one man shouted.

A glimmer of hope

For many, images of international relief teams arriving and climbing under the rubble alongside them were a glimmer of hope. Yonahi Regalado kept calling out the names of her sister, her 1-year-old nephew and her godson from 1 a.m. the day after the quakes until relief workers began arriving.

“It doesn’t matter who it is or whoever it is, whether it’s family or anyone else. If there’s anyone alive, let’s get them out,” she said as helicopters flew overhead.

Small human moments mixed with sadness and horror.

Rescue teams carefully delivered an 18-day-old baby wrapped in pink blankets from a building after 12 hours searching for the infant and his mother, Telemundo reported. Salvadoran authorities said that a 69-year-old woman, who was rescued by Salvadoran teams, asked for a Coca-Cola drink when she was pulled from under the rubble.

One video showed a Venezuelan rescuer comforting an elderly woman trapped under the rubble, fearing that the structure would collapse if she moved.

“The roof will not collapse. If it does, I will be here with you,” he said.

Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves Caracas, was severely damaged. Jeremy Lewin, a senior State Department official in charge of foreign aid, told reporters that one runway was operational while US teams worked to repair the vital corridor.

Lewin said a US Navy transport ship was anchored off the coast ready to receive airlifted survivors who needed medical care. Lewin said it was a “race against time” to find those injured in the earthquakes.

Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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