Just after 6pm on Wednesday 24 June, two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The quakes, the worst in the country in a century, hit on a bank holiday when many people were at home, some watching the Brazil-Scotland World Cup match.
Devastation and Political Turmoil
Tom Phillips, the Guardian's Latin America correspondent, was in Caracas just a month ago. He has reported on Venezuela through political drama, economic disaster, and a displacement crisis that has forced 8 million Venezuelans out of the country. Yet the scenes after this disaster have been devastating, he says.
The disaster was met with political incompetence. The country is still reeling from the dramatic capture of President Maduro by US forces and the installation of his wildly unpopular successor, Delcy Rodriguez. This has hampered official rescue efforts.
Ordinary Venezuelans Lead Rescue Efforts
In the absence of effective government response, ordinary Venezuelans have poured into the affected areas with pick axes, spades, and their bare hands to help pull survivors from the rubble. According to Phillips, these citizens are the primary hope for those trapped.
The resilience of the Venezuelan people is remarkable, Phillips notes. Despite the political and economic crises, they have mobilized to save lives. One rescuer told him, “We cannot wait for the government. We have to do this ourselves.”
Rebuilding a Shattered Nation
The earthquakes have added another layer of hardship to a country already in crisis. With infrastructure damaged and resources scarce, the path to recovery is uncertain. Phillips explains that Venezuela will try to rebuild, but the political situation and economic collapse make it an uphill battle.
International aid has been slow to arrive, partly due to the political isolation of the Rodriguez government. Meanwhile, the death toll continues to rise as survivors search for missing loved ones.
