Venezuela Earthquakes: Families Grieve One Month Later

One month after devastating earthquakes, Venezuelans search for missing loved ones and express growing anger at authorities.

Victor Calderón’s life was forever altered a month ago while he was at sea. On that fateful day, powerful twin earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coastline. Speaking via radio, he learned that his family’s home had collapsed. When he returned to shore, he discovered the staggering loss of 26 family members, spanning from his sisters to children and grandchildren, aged between two and late 70s.

“It’s a terrible, terrible thing,” he expressed, his voice heavy with emotion. “I haven’t cried for them yet, not until I find the last ones who are missing.” Victor’s daughter and granddaughter survived the disaster, but now they live in a tent set up on a golf course.

As the initial shock fades, many families still search for answers and loved ones. Official tallies report over 5,300 confirmed deaths and more than 16,500 injuries, yet the true number of the missing could reach tens of thousands.

At the collapsed OPPE 26 housing complex in Caraballeda, rescuers continue their grim task. One poignant moment came when a father wept as his missing 11-year-old daughter was finally found. Searching teams paused to honor the heartbreaking scene as the child’s body was gently removed from the rubble.

Victims’ families are voicing growing anger against authorities. In conversations across OPPE 26, many question how ten of the twelve housing blocks could fail to withstand the quake. Community members demand accountability, wondering whether building standards or negligence contributed to the scale of the disaster’s impact.

Public Works Minister Juan José Ramírez visited the site, affirming that the buildings were structurally sound. “This wasn’t one but two almost simultaneous earthquakes, both moving in different directions,” he stated, pointing out other buildings that had also collapsed.

In another part of Catia La Mar, a rare miracle unfolded, as a security guard was discovered alive beneath the rubble eight days after the earthquakes. That discovery briefly buoyed national spirits, but for many, hope remains elusive. Families, like Laura Barrios, search the same area for her brother-in-law, eager for closure.

After recovering her sister-in-law and two children lost to the disaster, Laura expressed her frustration over the governmental response, emphasizing the need for continued support as her family struggles. “What more can we say that this rubble doesn’t already tell us?” she lamented, surveying the devastation.

In the midst of ongoing grief, some resilience emerges among survivors as they queue for hot meals provided by humanitarian organizations. Despite the loss and uncertainty, they hold onto their characteristic warmth and humor.

However, the situation remains dire. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the donation of 200 homes to suffering families, yet experts estimate the total need could be ten times greater, with reconstruction projected to take years and requiring an investment of billions. The World Bank estimates damages from the quakes at $19.6 billion.

The community, once vibrant along the Playa Pirata coast, now faces an unthinkable reality. Many remember the days before the quake, when they thrived amidst visitors, only to watch their lives crumble in seconds during the catastrophe that has left an indelible mark on the nation.