World sends rescuers, aid as Venezuela reels from quakes

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AFP) — Desperate Venezuelans battled Thursday to rescue loved ones trapped alive beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two major earthquakes that killed at least 164 people.

Buildings cracked and crumbled and residents fled into the streets after the quakes, which the United States Geological Survey measured as magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, hit northern Venezuela within a minute of each other.

Offers of rescue support and aid flooded in from around the world as interim President Delcy Rodriguez reported at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt.

The state of La Guaira north of Caracas was hit particularly hard, and residents stumbled through debris calling out the names of loved ones or tried in vain to rescue the injured.

“There’s a spot where a young woman named Jennifer, from the 11th floor, answers me. However, we don’t have any tools; we have no way to help,” said Antonio Bermudez, whose building collapsed in La Guaira.

Elsewhere in the rubble, a father and his son were using a pickaxe and a crowbar to try and pry away massive slabs to get to two of his other sons, said Bermudez. “They’re still alive … there’s nothing more we can do. We’re telling them not to strain their voices, to take short breaths, in the hope that at least the three of them who are there will be rescued.”

The coastal city was without electricity, and many residents spent the night in the streets or searching for their relatives, according to AFP reporters.

The strongest quake to hit Venezuela in 126 years will require “massive collective efforts,” the United Nation’s aid chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement. He said the U.N. was “fully mobilized” to send aid.

Threatening to complicate relief efforts, the international airport near Caracas was closed due to “serious damage,” Rodriguez said.

Spain and France said they would send dozens of specialists, and Germany promised six military transport planes.

Switzerland mobilized 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 19.8 tons of equipment to be sent to Venezuela “as soon as possible.”

Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma announced a 2-million-euro aid package to deploy a search-and-rescue team, while the Czech Republic said its team was preparing to fly in.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it had released $2.5 million to support recovery efforts.

US, China willing to help

U.S. President Donald Trump said his country “stands ready, willing and able to help.” He “instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised a “whole-of-government response” that would be “big … fast and … effective.”

China also said it was ready to send whatever was needed.

“China is willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei voiced “Iran’s readiness to provide any assistance required in relief and rescue operations.”

Latin American solidarity

Latin American governments were quick to offer solidarity and help.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was dispatching a military team of rescuers and medical personnel to Venezuela, and would send further assistance later on if necessary.

“Mexico always stands in solidarity and always will,” she earlier posted on X.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had listened to news about the quake “with great concern and dismay” and would support recovery efforts.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics and 50 tons of equipment, medicines and basic supplies.

Cuban health workers were already present, said Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and were “fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population.”

Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast said he was dispatching humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Venezuela.

“I’ve just spoken by phone with Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodriguez, to convey Chile’s solidarity,” he posted on X.

Argentina, Costa Rica and Uruguay also expressed solidarity, while Ecuador and the Dominican Republic both said they had readied aid to send.

Global condolences

Japan offered “sincere condolences to those affected” in Venezuela. The east Asian nation was rocked by a 7.2-magnitude quake itself on Thursday, escaping with no major damage.

Spain was the first of several European countries to react to the quakes.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered “full support” to the Venezuelan people, adding: “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Italian leader Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s Friedrich Merz echoed these sentiments.

The French government said it stood “in solidarity” with the Venezuelan people before confirming that its embassy in Caracas had been damaged in the disaster.

Two warring nations, Ukraine and Russia, also sent their condolences without specific aid offers.

The European Union said it had activated its satellite surveillance system, with aid commissioner Hadja Lahbib writing online: “We stand ready to step up assistance.”

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By MARGIONI BERMÚDEZ, AFP staff Agence France-Presse