Deaths from earthquakes in Venezuela exceed 1,700

According to Rodríguez, more than 22,600 people have already received care in the devastated areas. The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and mainly hit the coastal area north of Venezuela. According to the head of parliament, the country has so far recorded a total of 611 seismic events since the earthquakes.

Rodríguez stated that a new aftershock, of magnitude 4.2, was recorded this Monday morning. According to him, the country’s Institute of Seismology reported that this new tremor did not cause damage to structures or leave people injured.

The tremors worsen the situation in La Guaira, where the Chavista regime declared a disaster area and established military control. The region is home to some of the greatest damage caused by the tremors, with buildings destroyed, residents out of their homes and rescue teams still working among the rubble.

The previous report, released this Sunday (28), showed 1,450 deaths, 3,150 injuries and 12,721 homeless people. With this Monday’s update, the number of fatalities increased by 269 in less than 24 hours.

The United Nations estimates that the number of missing people could reach 50,000, amid difficulties in accessing the worst-hit areas and continuing searches.

In addition to the destruction caused by the earthquakes, residents of La Guaira have reported delays in aid coming from the regime and difficulties in rescue operations. The local population has stated that an important part of the searches has been carried out by volunteers and representatives of international organizations.

The tragedy has also been worsened by reports of looting in businesses in La Guaira. According to the agency EFEowners began marking facades with warnings that the establishments had already been looted, in an attempt to prevent further invasions amid the chaos caused by the earthquakes.