At least 1,700 people died in twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, according to reports. The hardest hit area was the coastal town of La Guaira, where a 12‑storey building collapsed. Families gathered at the site, demanding faster assistance from authorities. Miguel Oscar Nunez, whose 34‑year‑old son was trapped, said rescue efforts were delayed and that more help was needed urgently. He described the silence of rescuers listening for survivors and the frustration of waiting for government support.

Rescue operations began two days after the quake, when Venezuelan firefighters and teams from Colombia, El Salvador and the United States arrived. Diggers, cranes and volunteers used spades and crowbars to clear debris. Deilisbeth Herreira, a single mother searching for her two daughters, reported that no machines or rescuers had been sent to the rubble. William Rodrigues searched for his uncle amid the stench and the presence of police who did not assist. Juan Avendo and his nephew Enyer Musics rescued a woman they heard screaming, pulling her from the debris with their hands.

Authorities have faced criticism for a slow and inadequate response. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called the disaster the most brutal natural catastrophe in the country’s history. The government’s delayed reaction allowed days to pass before organized teams reached the site, and some families said they had to rely on community members for rescue efforts. The operation was suspended on Sunday after a few survivors were located.