The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes climbed to at least 920 on Friday, with more than 51,000 people still missing, according to officials. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes struck late Wednesday, devastating coastal towns like La Guaira near Caracas. Residents have been left to search for the missing themselves, criticizing the government's sluggish rescue response.
The disaster unfolds amid growing ties between the U.S. and Venezuela, which may shape the international response. Washington has begun shuttling C-17 cargo jets to the Caribbean as part of a expanding humanitarian assistance effort. The quakes test both nations' ability to cooperate in a crisis after years of tense relations.
The official count stands at 920 dead and over 51,000 unaccounted for, though local reports suggest numbers could rise. Countless buildings have collapsed, with La Guaira suffering the worst of the structural damage. Foreign rescue teams have joined the search, though frustration mounts over the pace of government-led operations.
For survivors, the immediate challenge is locating loved ones and securing shelter as aftershocks continue. The U.S. military flights signal a significant logistical push to bring in supplies and heavy equipment. The relief effort now depends on coordination between Caracas and Washington, as well as the ability of local crews to clear debris and reach trapped victims.
Critics argue the government's lag in deploying resources has cost lives. “We are digging with our hands,” one resident told AP, reflecting a widespread sense of abandonment by authorities.