Venezuela earthquake aftermath: 1,400 dead and tens of thousands missing in La Guaira state

Three days after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, the situation in the coastal state of La Guaira remains critical, with a heavy human toll, disorganized relief efforts, and rising tensions between the population and authorities. The Venezuelan government reported on Saturday, June 27, 2026, that at least 1,430 people have died, while families indicate nearly 68,900 people are missing. These provisional estimates highlight the scale of the disaster, which devastated large urban areas following two successive tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5. According to Associated Press, residents are sifting through rubble, often with their bare hands or improvised tools, to find survivors, as emergency services lack sufficient resources. Authorities state they have deployed over 14,000 armed forces and police personnel to affected areas, implemented traffic restrictions, and are distributing food and water. International rescue teams from Mexico, the United States, Brazil, and European countries have begun arriving to assist. Thousands are sleeping outdoors due to fear of further collapses, and shortages, crowds, and lack of coordination are worsening the situation. The Simón Bolívar International Airport, the country's main entry point, sustained significant damage, complicating humanitarian aid delivery, with only one runway operational.