A desperate race against time unfolds in Venezuela's coastal state of La Guaira. Rescue crews and families are sifting through rubble with bare hands and drones, searching for survivors after catastrophic back-to-back earthquakes.
Officials confirm at least 1,430 deaths from the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, with the UN estimating around 50,000 people missing. Hundreds of buildings collapsed, trapping thousands beneath concrete and twisted metal.
National rescue teams are scarce, but international responders from Mexico, the U.S., Spain, and the UK have arrived to aid the effort. Traffic and crowds sometimes hamper operations, with soldiers calling for silence to listen for signs of life.
Residents like Glendys Delgado report a growing stench of death. "No one from the government has come here," she says, but people from Caracas are supporting her community with food. Families are now sheltering in vehicles near the damaged Simón Bolívar International Airport.
Interim President Rodríguez stated she spoke with U.S. officials who reaffirmed their commitment to send rescue teams and aid. The emotional toll is immense.
"Everyone says what matters is that you're alive - and yes, but everything you're going through hurts: seeing people suffer, hearing people scream, seeing children trapped," said one mother who lost her home. "You try to be strong, but it hurts."
With the death toll rising hourly, every moment is critical in this major humanitarian crisis.