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Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, leaving 920 dead and 3,360 injured as of Friday afternoon, with the coastal state of La Guaira declared the epicenter of the disaster . The air in affected areas now reeks of decay from bodies still buried under collapsed buildings .
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited some areas Thursday night, and rescue teams began arriving from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States . However, in Playa Grande, a zone nearly leveled by the quakes, help has been absent. Survivor Pedro Luis Pérez reported that hospitals are charging for care despite the emergency: "They charge us for everything, because everything is to pay, pay" . Pérez, who has three family members under the rubble, added: "We need masks because of the smells" .
Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez reported 172 people trapped, 3,007 displaced, and 383 buildings damaged, most in La Guaira . He urged the public not to travel to La Guaira to avoid congestion, directing volunteers to collection centers in Caracas. The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) have been deployed for rescue and security .
While authorities highlight the arrival of international aid and military deployment, survivors on the ground describe a lack of supplies and self-rescue efforts. Visible body parts remain among the rubble, and some standing structures lean precariously, threatening further collapse .