Interim President Rejects Unrest Fears
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, declared on Sunday that the country would not experience social unrest following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck on June 24, killing nearly 3,000 people and leaving thousands more missing. Speaking during a military ceremony marking Venezuela's independence day, Rodriguez stated: 'There will be no social unrest here, what we have here is deep social solidarity.'
One of Latin America's Worst Earthquake Disasters
The earthquakes, which rank among the worst in Latin America's history, collapsed scores of buildings, leaving thousands homeless, particularly in the coastal La Guaira area north of the capital, Caracas. The disaster has been described as one of the most destructive in the region, with rescue teams working tirelessly to find survivors and recover bodies.
Anger Over Government Response
Many Venezuelans have expressed anger at what they perceive as the US-backed government's inadequate response to the disaster before international teams arrived. Rodriguez has defended the government's actions, stating that thousands of public officials and rescue teams were dispatched to help dig out victims and find survivors. 'We mobilized all available resources to respond to this tragedy,' she said.
International Rescue Operations Winding Down
Eleven days after the double shocks, international rescue teams are wrapping up operations to find more survivors, while families continue to dig through the wreckage to recover the bodies of loved ones. The death toll of nearly 3,000 is expected to rise as search efforts continue. According to officials, the number of missing persons remains in the thousands.
Social Solidarity Emphasized
Despite the anger and frustration, Rodriguez emphasized the spirit of social solidarity among Venezuelans. 'We are a resilient people, and we will overcome this tragedy together,' she said. The government has pledged to rebuild affected areas and provide support to the thousands displaced by the quakes.
