A Decade of US Sanctions is Stifling Venezuela’s Disaster Response

On Wednesday, June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, as well as La Guaira and Carabobo. The first measured 7.2 and the second 7.5 on the Richter scale, at a depth of 13.2 kilometers. So far, authorities have confirmed the deaths of 188 people and more than 1,500 injured, although the US Geological Survey states that there is a 42% probability of between 10,000 and 100,000 deaths – a staggering figure.

For now, Maiquetía International Airport has suspended all operations because its infrastructure has been damaged. The Caracas metro and the rail network have also been shut down to facilitate rescue efforts.

Jorge Rodríguez, one of the leaders of Chavismo and President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, stated that 200 people have been found in the rubble of collapsed houses and buildings. In addition, 2,227 families have been displaced due to the nearly 250 structures that have been damaged or destroyed.

The images and videos are truly chilling due to the sheer magnitude of the earthquakes, which were also felt in areas far from the border, such as Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. As a result, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency throughout the country and stated that the exact number of fatalities is not yet known.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged the public to remain calm, seek shelter, and stay away from tall buildings while the government activates safety protocols: “We are acting in accordance with the regulations and the protocols established to mobilize aid, launch rescue operations, and assist, in this case, those who need it most.”

The Venezuelan government is seeking to respond to the emergency as best it can, even in the face of the severe economic crisis it is currently experiencing. Since 2015, Washington has imposed a series of economic sanctions, over 1,000 in total, that have made it difficult to secure supplies of medicine, which is extremely serious at a time when several hospitals are overwhelmed with the wounded.

The US sanctions and the economic crisis are also hindering rescue efforts. Emergency responders are clearing debris and searching for the injured with few supplies and materials at their disposal, which is narrowing the window of opportunity to find survivors.

The situation has been exacerbated by power outages in large parts of the country, which have also disrupted other services such as water supply and telecommunications. As a result, thousands of Venezuelans living abroad are unable to communicate with their families, causing even greater distress among the Caribbean population.

For now, President Delcy Rodríguez has announced the creation of a $200 million fund for the reconstruction of buildings and homes, specifically in La Guaira state, where the majority of the devastation is concentrated.

Several countries, including Cuba, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Turkey, and the United States, have sent messages of solidarity to the Venezuelan people and begun arranging to send supplies and rescue teams to the hardest-hit areas as soon as possible. In addition, the UN announced that it will send specialized personnel to Venezuela to assist the tens of thousands of people affected by the powerful earthquakes.

Courtesy: Breakthrough News