CARACAS, Venezuela, June 29: At least 1,450 people have died since last week’s devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a senior lawmaker, CNN reported.
Rescue operations continue across the affected regions as emergency teams race against time to locate survivors trapped under rubble.
U.S. Southern Command said its efforts are ongoing on the ground, sharing visuals of a U.S. Marine assisting rescue teams during search operations in earthquake-damaged structures.
In a post on X, U.S. Southern Command said, “Racing against the clock to save lives in Venezuela: First responders assist a U.S. Marine climbing through rubble during a search for survivors in earthquake-damaged structures. Operating day and night, these crews continue to support international search and rescue operations across the hardest-hit communities. At the direction of SOUTHCOM, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting U.S. Department of State-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela.”
Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the formation of a presidential commission to assess damage to housing and infrastructure caused by the powerful earthquakes. She also extended school closures for another week, according to CNN.
Earlier in the day, Rodríguez said an 11-year-old boy had been rescued alive in Caraballeda.
“In these hours, every life is hope for Venezuela,” she said.
The strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela in more than a century struck at a time when the country was already grappling with a fragile economy shaped by years of sanctions, hyperinflation, and challenges in the oil sector.
Despite being home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela’s GDP has declined significantly over the past decade, and the population continues to face economic hardship, including low wages and high inflation. (ANI)
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