Over 1,600 Foreign Rescuers Arrive in Venezuela

More than 1,600 members of foreign rescue teams have arrived in Venezuela to help search for survivors of the devastating twin earthquakes that killed over 900 people this week. The government has tightened access to the worst-affected state, La Guaira, as residents and volunteers struggle to find missing loved ones in the rubble.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in an overnight address on state television that 10 more countries were still to join rescue efforts and 14,000 military and police members were in La Guaira to patrol and take sanitary measures.

"In recent hours, Venezuela has received 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 members of rescue teams, and over the next 24 hours, the arrival of 25 additional flights is expected," said foreign ministry official Oliver Blanco.

Rescuers have been making their way to sites around La Guaira state and Venezuela's capital Caracas, although on Friday some areas were still largely without an official presence as families and neighbours struggled to find missing loved ones in the rubble, sometimes digging with their hands.

### Looting Reports in La Guaira

Looting has taken place at several sites in La Guaira, Reuters witnesses said. While the power remained out near the quakes' epicenter in Moron on Friday, as well as fully down in La Guaira, it was being restored in other places, with Rodriguez saying that 60% of electricity had now been restored.

### Missing Over 54,000 People

The government has said hundreds are missing or trapped, but more than 54,000 people are listed as unaccounted for on a website promoted by the country's opposition. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated more than 10,000 deaths were possible from the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, which would place them among the deadliest natural disasters in Venezuela's history.

### International Response

The U.S. is mobilizing $150 million in aid and easing sanctions, while its military dispatched two ships and said helicopters and aircraft would support rescue efforts. Venezuela's oil production was not affected by the quakes, Oil Minister Paula Henao said on Friday, adding that fuel distribution would be guaranteed.

### Context

Venezuela has been plagued by economic sanctions, underinvestment, and years of mismanagement which has crippled its power grid, leading to regular blackouts in some regions. The twin earthquakes are the worst to hit the country in decades, and the government's response has been criticized for being too slow and inadequate.

### Key Facts

  • Over 1,600 foreign rescuers have arrived in Venezuela
  • More than 54,000 people are listed as unaccounted for on a website promoted by the country's opposition
  • The U.S. is mobilizing $150 million in aid and easing sanctions
  • Venezuela's oil production was not affected by the quakes
  • 60% of electricity has been restored in affected areas