Venezuela Rescue Site in Chaos as Residents Rage Over Inadequate Government Response

As the series of earthquakes in Venezuela entered its fourth day, the 72-hour "golden time," a critical window for saving lives, had already passed. However, rescue operations have not been carried out properly because of the lack of a national response system and other shortcomings.
The number of missing people has been estimated at at least 68,900, raising fears that this could become the deadliest disaster in the country's history.
On the 27th local time, authorities said the death toll from the series of earthquakes on the 24th had reached 1,430 by that day. Experts believe most of the missing have likely died, as the so-called "golden time" of 48 to 72 hours after an accident, when survival chances are considered highest, has already passed.
The Associated Press (AP) noted that the damage was severe because many buildings were old or poorly constructed. Experts said residential complexes in northern Venezuela were rushed to completion during the oil boom and could not withstand the strong quake, which worsened the destruction.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said, based on satellite image analysis, that the physical damage Venezuela suffered from the quake is estimated to amount to about 6% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Residents have voiced frustration over the government's complacent response, and tensions at the earthquake rescue sites have deepened.
AP reported that authorities deployed military forces to La Guaira State, where the damage was concentrated, but local residents said they could hardly even see government officials. A mother who lost both her daughter and son-in-law in the quake told AFP, "We had to pull the children's bodies out with our bare hands, and no help came at all." In some areas, clashes even broke out between angry residents and government officials. AP said officials who arrived with excavators took selfies at the scene and then tried to leave, prompting residents to drag the driver out and block the vehicle.
As the security system also collapsed, looting has continued at some shops and homes, according to reports from La Jornada and other outlets in Mexico.
Even in harsh conditions, with no safety helmets and people digging through the rubble with bare hands and shovels while wearing motorcycle helmets instead, the arrival of international rescue teams has become a ray of hope for desperate families. Rescue teams from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, and France have been arriving at the scene one after another.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said that 24 countries have sent relief supplies so far and that 2,741 rescue workers have arrived.
Sky News reported that a military aircraft carrying 68 British firefighters and rescue workers, along with six search dogs, arrived at a base near Caracas.
Yoon Jae-jun