'Left on your own': Angry Venezuelans accuse government of negligence and apathy
BBC News 2026-06-30 03:53:48
Context: In the coastal town of La Guaira, Venezuela, a devastating twin earthquake struck, killing at least 1,700 people and leaving many more trapped under the rubble. The disaster has sparked widespread anger and frustration among Venezuelans, who accuse the government of negligence and apathy in its response to the crisis. As rescue teams struggle to locate survivors, families of the missing are growing increasingly desperate.
Key Facts
- The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week killed at least 1,700 people and caused widespread destruction in the coastal town of La Guaira.
- Miguel Oscar Nunez, a father, is searching for his 34-year-old son Angel, who was trapped in a collapsed 12-storey building, and has accused the authorities of negligence in their rescue efforts.
- Deilisbeth Herreira, a single parent, is searching for her two teenage daughters, Greydelys and Graybelys, who were at home when the earthquake struck, and claims she has received no help from authorities in her search.
- The rescue operation in La Guaira was initially slow, with many residents and volunteers taking matters into their own hands, and it was not until nearly two days after the earthquake that the first official rescue team, Venezuelan firefighters, arrived on the scene.
- Juan Avendo, a 60-year-old resident, and his nephew Enyer Musics managed to pull one woman out alive from under the rubble using their bare hands, highlighting the lack of official support in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.