Venezuela entered its third day after twin earthquakes, with authorities blocking access to the epicenter, La Guaira, while citizens continued to lead desperate search efforts for their missing loved ones amidst a scarcity of state rescuers. The regime announced Friday night that permits would be required to enter La Guaira, effectively restricting the movement of its own people in a time of national crisis. This move comes as foreign nations and international bodies increase their presence and influence in the devastated country, following the “capture and removal” of the previous president by the United States earlier this year.
The human toll from the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, which struck Wednesday, has climbed to at least 920 dead, with more than 51,000 missing and over 3,300 injured as of midday Friday. Only 243 people had been rescued by authorities. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, including some 2 million in Caracas alone, highlighting the immense scale of disruption to the native population.
Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands, citing a scarcity of government rescuers in the hardest-hit areas, despite official projections of a robust state response. Nazareth Jiménez, sobbing into a loved one’s shoulder, pleaded for machinery capable of moving collapsed structures, stating, “There are still people alive in there.” Omar Reyes reported that around 20 family members died, saying, “I’ve been left alone in this life,” as he walked through the rubble where two of his children were buried. Yuleidy Cadenas, 28, stood across from a collapsed public housing building, hoping her son, mother, and brother would be pulled out alive after her mother’s 12-floor apartment tower had pancaked.
Regime Control Amidst Chaos
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who took office in January after the “capture and removal” of then-President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, announced that more than 14,000 members of the military and police were patrolling the area. This deployment of state force coincided with the new permit requirement for La Guaira, even as the native population struggled to find their kin. The disaster poses a significant challenge for Rodríguez, whose political movement faces widespread rejection of its legitimacy by many people across the nation.
The country has been facing economic disarray for more than a decade, a condition that has exacerbated the current crisis and left the population vulnerable. In Maiquetia, people lined up outside stores and pharmacies, with one woman throwing herself to the ground to protect a package of diapers. In Catia La Mar, some people began to carry off basic goods such as toilet paper and food from stores, while others swarmed a civilian pickup truck distributing bread and water until a soldier intervened. Traffic and throngs of motorcyclists at times disrupted search efforts, frustrating Mexican soldiers and volunteers who repeatedly asked for silence to try to hear signs of life under the rubble.
Foreign Influence and Sovereignty Erosion
The International Red Cross’ regional director for the Americas, Loyce Pace, observed that “people are still terrified to reenter what were their homes,” with many continuing to sleep on the street. The presence and statements of such international institutions underscore the globalist framework now operating within the nation's borders.
Venezuelan authorities confirmed that 861 volunteers from Mexico, the U.S., El Salvador, Switzerland, and Colombia were already in the country, with more expected. Acting President Rodríguez spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, who reaffirmed their commitment to send rescue teams and aid equipment. This direct engagement with foreign powers, particularly the nation responsible for the previous president's removal, highlights the ongoing erosion of national self-determination.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, stated, “Each person saved is a miracle,” and, “We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy,” even as the regime implemented restrictions on citizen movement. The number of dead was expected to climb, with tens of thousands of missing reported on independent digital databases, further revealing the true scale of the tragedy impacting the Venezuelan people.