Venezuela’s Acting President Defends Earthquake Response Amid Criticism
In Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has strongly defended the government’s handling of recent severe earthquakes. The government is under scrutiny for allegedly responding too slowly and underestimating the death toll. Critics have also blamed poor housing construction for worsening the impact.
Rodríguez, who became the acting president after the U.S. removed Nicolás Maduro from power in January, faces heavy criticism for the perceived slow and disorganized reaction to the disaster. Residents of La Guaira state, the region most affected, report a lack of swift government intervention, forcing them to search for missing persons themselves. The scarcity of specialized equipment has also hampered rescue operations.
At a news conference in Caracas, Rodríguez, wearing a mourning ribbon, denied these criticisms. She accused the media of misinformation, stating, “We activated immediately,” and described the politicization of the tragedy as disgraceful. As of Wednesday, official reports list at least 2,295 deaths, a number expected to grow. However, additional updates on the death toll have been limited. Tight government control persists over communication and relief efforts.
Efforts have shifted from rescue to recovery in many areas. Yet, hope emerged with the rescue of Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a security guard, alive after eight days under debris. Footage of his rescue was celebrated nationwide, as onlookers and international rescuers cheered the miraculous survival.
Across La Guaira, despair is mounting. Many remain unaccounted for, with an opposition-run website recording over 38,000 missing reports. Questions about the true extent of casualties remain unanswered. Rodríguez insists that all government-provided numbers are carefully verified, urging against speculation.
Responding to reports of inadequate initial help, Rodríguez conceded that survivors, relatives, and neighbors were first on-site. Still, she emphasized that governmental mobilization began swiftly, involving both public and private efforts.
This situation tests Rodríguez’s leadership, once Maduro’s deputy, now interim leader with U.S. backing. It is crucial as her presidential mandate nears its expiration. As per Venezuela’s constitution, temporary leaderships can last up to 90 days, extendable by the National Assembly. With limited governmental transparency, the future leadership course remains uncertain.
Rodríguez highlighted a contrast to past Venezuelan policy by welcoming international aid, including from countries with no formal ties, such as Israel and Ecuador. The U.S. has contributed significantly, with more than $300 million and 900 military personnel involved in support efforts. Rodríguez expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their consistent support.