Capturing Desperation and Hope in a Crisis

Ariana Cubillos has reported for The Associated Press since 2004. Based in Caracas, Venezuela since 2009, she covers significant events like social and humanitarian issues. Before this, Cubillos reported from Haiti for five years.

Choosing the Photo

Cubillos captured a remarkable moment during her coverage of a family’s search amid earthquake devastation. While focused on one group, she noticed Carolina Munoz praying. Although unfamiliar with her, Cubillos recognized that the scene of Munoz looking skyward embodied the pain of many families scouring the ruins. They searched through 12 collapsed levels, hoping to retrieve their relatives’ bodies for a proper rest. Cubillos empathized with their suffering, feeling a shared sorrow with Munoz and others.

The Photographic Process

Positioned atop the collapsed OPPPE 27 tower in Caraballeda, La Guaira, Cubillos spotted Munoz from afar. Using a 70-200mm lens, she captured this fleeting moment. Difficult terrain with deep holes and obstructive objects like cables complicated her task. Crouching to prevent cables from obscuring Munoz’s face, Cubillos quickly took clear photos before Munoz resumed her search. It was during a subsequent conversation that she learned Munoz was looking for her son, Carlos Muñoz.

The Photo’s Impact

Cubillos believes the photograph resonated because it portrays Munoz’s despair amidst the tragedies of many families affected by the building’s collapse. The image conveys a shared anguish that words can’t fully express, revealing the sorrow experienced by those who lost loved ones. Though it may not fully encapsulate the profound pain, it remains a deeply moving visual.