🇻🇪 Sobrevivientes en La Guaira: "Lo único que pedimos es ayuda"

Many believe that the tragedy unfolding in La Guaira surpasses the devastating 1999 mudslide, at least in terms of infrastructure, as the death toll from the powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24, is still being tallied. The tremors pulverized hundreds of buildings in a matter of seconds. Although some people feel the need to speak out and demand answers about the delayed response from authorities, they prefer not to appear on camera. Those affected, with whom El Nacional spoke, confirmed that more than 12 hours after the disaster, official aid had still not arrived in the state. In some areas, clearing the rubble is nearly impossible due to the complexity of the situation. Some seem unable to fully grasp the magnitude of what happened, while others already believe their loved ones have perished. The scene is so shocking and desolate that, although some maintain that faith is the last thing to be lost, others seem unsure. Mario Córdoba traveled from Caracas to La Guaira to help with the rescue efforts and stated that, in a situation like this, solidarity is essential. He has no family in the area and experienced the earthquake in Caracas, where he lives. “I am Venezuelan, what happened hurts me, and we have to be realistic: the magnitude of the earthquakes greatly affected our fellow citizens,” he said. During El Nacional's tour of some of the affected areas, the scarcity of machinery and rescue workers was evident. Even to recover the deceased from the rubble, civilians relied on their own experience and resources. Residents—including survivors—family members, and neighbors began using any tool they could find to try to move the debris and break up the heavy pieces of concrete that had fallen and buried hundreds of people. In one of the residences, residents managed to pull the body of a man from a collapsed building, having to use a rope to prevent him from falling. Daniel Madera, a survivor, remained with groups of families near a building of the Great Housing Mission Venezuela. “What we are asking for is help for this entire community in Caribe; no one has arrived here. We are alone, abandoned. We hope they come to help us,” he declared. By @luisdejesus_ Video: @abraham95o 👉 Subscribe to follow all of El Nacional's coverage of the earthquakes in Venezuela and their consequences. 👉 Subscribe to the new El Nacional Premium. More depth. More diversity. More analysis. More El Nacional, without limitations or interruptions. #ElNacionalPremium #NewEraEN #Venezuela #LaGuaira #Earthquake #Rescue #Emergency #News #ElNacional #CurrentEvents