Mass. Venezuelans celebrate Independence Day by running for earthquake relief

Organizers chose the 31-mile route to symbolize Venezuela’s 31 million people, Rendon said.

“We run every mile for every person in Venezuela,” Rendon said.

Salcedo is originally from La Guaira, one of the areas most affected by earthquakes. He added that three members of his family died, while five are still missing.

“Every mile I ran in that high heat, in my mind, the people there were working hard to get all the dead and support everyone,” Salcedo said. “This is nothing compared to what people go through there.”

Salcedo estimated that approximately 12,000 Venezuelan immigrants live in Massachusetts, and said the community has become closer since the disaster.

The two powerful earthquakes occurred on June 24, with their epicenter in Yaracuy state, although the tremors were felt more than 100 miles away. The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2, followed shortly after by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

“We are united as a family,” said 60-year-old Carolina Garcia, owner of Somerville’s Venezuelan restaurant Carolicius, on July 5 at Fenway Park.

According to the Venezuelan government’s latest official toll, more than 2,900 people have been killed. Authorities say the death toll is expected to continue to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

“Although we celebrate the true independence of Venezuela, freedom has been lost in Venezuela, and there is no freedom now,” Rendon said. “We need to find our second independence, and that’s what we’re trying to do now.”

The race was organized with the support of the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts.

“We should be celebrating today, celebrating our independence, but instead we are coming together as a community, as a community, trying to help our people,” said Ciro Valente, 36, the association’s director.

Organizers said proceeds will benefit the Boston Foundation’s Massachusetts United for Venezuela Fund, which provides immediate humanitarian assistance and supports long-term recovery efforts in communities affected by the earthquakes.

The race began at 6:30 a.m., with additional meeting points for participants who wish to complete shorter distances.

Camila Vargas, 22, from Caracas, Venezuela, ran the 10K. She said running was her way of turning grief into action.

“I think the anger and loss that people are feeling right now is turning into unity and hope,” Vargas said.

She said that Independence Day this year carries an emotional heaviness that she has never experienced before.

“My eyes fill with tears just thinking about the possibility of a different Venezuela,” Vargas said.

Carolina Garcia, 60, who owns Carolicious in Somerville, came out to support the event. She said having a place where Venezuelans can come together has taken on a new meaning since the earthquakes.

“The Venezuelan people outside the country, more than 8 million people, are helping, and this is a very heartbreaking reason, but we are united as a family,” Garcia said.

Materials from Globe wire services were used in this report.

Thai Theodoro can be reached at [email protected].

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