Venezuelan Volunteers Rushed Into La Guaira Rubble After Quakes Killed Nearly 5,100
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Venezuelan Volunteers Rushed Into La Guaira Rubble After Quakes Killed Nearly 5,100
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
Hundreds of Venezuelan volunteers — including retired firefighters, paramedics, students and surfers — converged on La Guaira after the country’s strongest earthquakes in a century flattened neighborhoods and buried residents.
Nearly 5,100 people were killed, and many rescuers said they expected to fend for themselves because years of corruption and institutional decay left authorities short of tools, personnel and heavy machinery.
300 civilian volunteers helped supply cables, fuel and moving equipment as local teams dug by hand, while international crews from places including Chile, Curaçao and Mexico searched with dogs and specialized gear.
32 hours under rubble, 12-year-old Fabiana Blanco survived on cheese and ketchup before rescuers pulled her out alive, a widely shared rescue that helped sustain exhausted teams through days of mostly body recoveries.
Weeks into the disaster, rescuers described sleeping in 20-minute bursts, losing up to 3 to 4 kilos a day and relying on food, tools and encouragement from civilians and the Venezuelan diaspora.
Billions in seized corruption funds are available. Can this money rebuild Venezuela without fueling the government that failed it?
After citizens became the nation's first responders, what is the future for a government that was nowhere to be found?
Venezuela’s Twin Earthquakes of 2026: Humanitarian Crisis, Systemic Vulnerabilities, and the Struggle for Recovery
Overview
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was struck by twin earthquakes, causing widespread destruction and triggering an immediate humanitarian crisis. Swift initial rescue efforts were made possible by systems set up since 2019, but attention quickly turned to the ongoing needs of those affected. By July 20, the damage was estimated at over $6.7 billion, highlighting the huge recovery challenge ahead. The situation remained critical, especially for public health and living conditions, as communities faced deteriorating sanitation and crowded shelters. The scale of the disaster underscored the urgent need for sustained support and long-term recovery efforts.