Trapped Family Members in La Guaira
Andreina Valerio fears for her son, who is trapped with her partner and in-laws beneath a collapsed building following two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
On the day the earthquakes struck, Andreina rushed home from work to find her nearly two-year-old son, Santiago. He was at her in-laws' residence in La Guaira with her partner, Ramsés Mendoza.
Upon arrival, she discovered the building reduced to rubble. Her brother-in-law, Samuel Mendoza, was searching through the debris that once was their apartment block.
When I met Andreina outside the crumbling structure on Saturday, she informed me that her son and partner remained trapped inside, along with Ramsés's mother, father, grandparents, and sister. Despite the circumstances, she maintained hope.
Andreina and Samuel also mentioned other children trapped within the building: a nine-year-old boy named Lucas and a three-year-old girl named Aranza.
Rescue teams from El Salvador and Spain arrived at the site on Saturday but were unable to access the interior. No rescues had been made by that time.
On the first morning after the earthquakes, Samuel reported hearing a woman's voice, initially unintelligible, calling for help.
"I heard a woman's voice, someone whose voice I couldn't understand at first, and the only word was 'help'."
The following day, Andreina returned and heard a baby crying.
"I still have faith my son is alive," she said. "I have faith that it's my son. And I know my son will get through this, as will his family."
Community Efforts Amid Destruction
Andreina and Samuel are among many Venezuelans searching for loved ones in the rubble, holding onto hope after two massive earthquakes devastated hundreds of buildings nationwide.
Families have been digging through debris with their bare hands in La Guaira, a coastal region severely affected by the disaster.
Those I spoke with appeared sleep-deprived, their voices hoarse from calling out for survivors.
As Friday progressed, neighbors began assisting, and people from other parts of Venezuela arrived to provide support.
Rescue teams are working extensively across the country; however, Venezuela appears unprepared to manage the earthquakes, despite enduring multiple crises over recent years.
Officials report that over 1,400 buildings have been destroyed in La Guaira state, which has experienced "tremendous devastation."
Upon arriving at the Hotel Edward, the smell of death was evident, and it was clear the situation would deteriorate. Survival seemed unlikely for many trapped individuals.
I observed more than 50 damaged buildings in La Guaira town. Official data indicates over 1,400 structures have been affected in the region.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, described the earthquakes as "the most disastrous event this republic has suffered in the last 123 years." The official death toll has risen to 1,430, with 3,238 injured.
With tens of thousands still reported missing, emergency services continue working around the clock to locate survivors.
Police and military personnel are visible throughout La Guaira. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez stated that 14,000 personnel were deployed to the state, which she described as "militarised" for security purposes.
Initially, only one small tractor was visible on the streets. Heavy machinery arrived later, after navigating a difficult route via a small, damaged road.
As hours passed, some urged the grieving families to remain quiet, but their requests were overwhelmed by the crowds and motorcycles.
Volunteers distributed medicine to those in need, and piles of clothing were left on the ground, intended for distribution to affected individuals.
People queued for clothing donations on the streets of Caraballeda, in La Guaira state.
Desperate Night and Rescue Challenges
At night, the situation in La Guaira grew more desperate. Volunteers, lacking specialized equipment, carried bodies, transporting them in cars and vans.
Ambulances were unable to access the town. Our driver, Leo, witnessed injured individuals being transported on the backs of motorcycles due to heavy traffic, especially near a collapsed bridge.
I also observed a tense incident where police attempted to control a situation involving a suspected thief.
Relatives camped in the streets, awaiting news of loved ones. Many remained because of concerns that government efforts to clear roads might render collapsed homes inaccessible.
Rescue teams and civilians have been searching the rubble of hundreds of destroyed buildings.
International Aid and Ongoing Efforts
Delcy Rodríguez announced that rescue teams from ten countries were expected to arrive in La Guaira state on Saturday. She added that electricity had been restored to 60% of the region.
Authorities have advised against traveling to La Guaira, with Jorge Rodríguez emphasizing the "tremendous devastation" the area has endured.
At a Caracas hospital receiving injured individuals from La Guaira, I spoke with a doctor who reported at least 600 patients admitted, most with fractures.
The doctor also noted that many patients were traumatized, with some experiencing panic attacks.
A list of the deceased and those receiving treatment is displayed outside the hospital for families seeking information.
Some individuals have created posters of missing relatives and placed them alongside the list.
Additional reporting by Ian Aikman.
