Venezuela says 1,600 foreign rescuers arrive as quake death toll tops 900

CARACAS: Venezuela’s government said on Saturday that 1,600 members of foreign rescue teams had reached the country to assist in the search for survivors after twin earthquakes this week killed more than 900 people, while authorities also tightened access to badly hit La Guaira state.

La Guaira, a popular beach destination, has seen at least 100 buildings — many of them residential towers — destroyed or damaged. Residents and volunteers there have for days complained of a shortage of heavy machinery and a limited presence of officials as people searched for missing relatives and neighbours.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in an overnight address on state television that rescue efforts were set to expand further, with 10 more countries still expected to join. She also said 14,000 military and police personnel were in La Guaira for patrol duties and sanitary measures.

Foreign ministry official Oliver Blanco said 17 flights carrying foreign rescue teams had arrived in recent hours, with more expected shortly.

“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.

In a post on X, Blanco added “We thank the international community for its support and solidarity during these moments of uncertainty for Venezuelans,”

Access tightened in disaster zone

Rescue workers have been moving to sites across La Guaira state and the capital, Caracas. But on Friday, some places still had little official presence, with families and local residents digging through rubble by hand in search of survivors.

Officials shut the road linking La Guaira with nearby Caracas on Friday evening, saying congestion was slowing the movement of emergency vehicles and official rescue teams. Civilians not attached to authorised rescue units now require credentials to cross the checkpoint. Police blocked Reuters witnesses from using the main road on Saturday morning, while an older secondary route was heavily congested.

The government had earlier thanked civilians, many travelling by motorcycle, for delivering aid to affected communities. State television showed government collection points receiving thousands of pairs of shoes, clothing and other relief goods.

Power outages and missing persons

Electricity remained unavailable on Friday near Moron, the quakes’ epicentre, and was still fully out in La Guaira. Rodriguez said power had been restored to 60 per cent in other areas. Venezuela’s electricity network, weakened by years of underinvestment and economic sanctions, has for some time suffered recurring failures, including daily outages lasting hours in some parts of the country.

While the government has said hundreds of people are missing or trapped, more than 54,000 people are listed as unaccounted for on a website promoted by Venezuela’s opposition.

The United States Geological Survey estimated that the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes could ultimately cause more than 10,000 deaths, which would place the disaster among the deadliest in Latin America in the last century. The United Nations said nearly 7 million people could be affected and put direct damage at around $6.7 billion.

International response and oil sector

The disaster may also carry political implications for Rodriguez, who has sought to present herself as a reform figure despite having served as vice president to Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted and arrested by the United States in January.

Rodriguez spoke by phone on Friday with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after meeting the US military’s Northern Command and disaster specialists. The United States said it was mobilising $150 million in aid, easing sanctions, and sending two military ships, while helicopters and aircraft would support rescue work.

Among teams operating in La Guaira is a rescue unit from El Salvador. President Nayib Bukele said on X that the Salvadoran team had been involved in multiple rescues, including that of a 15-year-old girl.

Reuters witnesses reported looting at several sites in La Guaira. Meanwhile, Oil Minister Paula Henao said on Friday that Venezuela’s oil production had not been disrupted by the earthquakes and that fuel supplies would be maintained. Oil executives and workers said the industry had escaped major infrastructure damage.