Survivors demand answers as rescue efforts continue after deadly twin quakes
One month after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coastline, thousands of families are still searching for missing relatives while struggling to rebuild their shattered lives.
The disaster has left communities mourning, with many survivors living in temporary shelters and demanding answers about how so many buildings collapsed.
Among those still searching is fisherman Victor Calderón, who was at sea for 18 days when he learned through radio reports that the apartment building where his family lived had collapsed.
When he returned home, he discovered that 26 members of his family were missing, including his sisters, their children and grandchildren, his stepfather and nine cousins.
“It’s a terrible thing,” Calderón said, explaining that he has not allowed himself to fully grieve until he finds all of his missing relatives.
Caraballeda becomes centre of tragedy
The worst-hit area has been the coastal town of Caraballeda in La Guaira state, where the OPPE 26 public housing complex suffered devastating damage.
The disaster has destroyed homes, separated families and left survivors questioning whether construction failures contributed to the scale of the destruction.
More than 5,300 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 16,500 others were injured, according to government figures. The number of missing people remains unclear but is believed to be in the tens of thousands.
Rescue teams continue searching through mountains of rubble, with emotional scenes unfolding as families finally recover the remains of loved ones.
At OPPE 26, rescuers recently recovered three bodies, including an 11-year-old girl. Her father, who had spent weeks searching, broke down as his daughter was removed from the ruins.
Anger grows over building safety concerns
Alongside grief, many survivors have expressed frustration and anger towards authorities over the collapse of several buildings.
Residents have questioned whether poor construction, weak materials or possible negligence played a role in the destruction.
Public Works Minister Juan José Ramírez rejected those claims, saying the buildings were structurally sound and arguing that the disaster was caused by the unusual force of two almost simultaneous earthquakes.
He said the destruction affected both public and private buildings, showing that the earthquakes caused widespread damage regardless of construction type.
Survivors struggle to rebuild
Despite the devastation, stories of survival have offered moments of hope.
In Catia La Mar, security guard Hernán Gil was rescued alive eight days after being trapped beneath a collapsed building, briefly bringing hope to a grieving nation.
However, many families remain without closure. Laura Barrios continues searching for her missing brother-in-law after losing her sister-in-law and two children, aged 10 and three.
She says the slow response from authorities has added to the pain, especially as rescue equipment is removed while families are still searching.
“Entire lives were gone in just seconds,” she said.
A long road ahead
Humanitarian organisations continue providing food, water and support to survivors living in temporary camps.
Many families have moved into tents, unsure when they will return to permanent homes. The government has announced new housing support, but the scale of the damage remains overwhelming.
The World Bank estimates the earthquakes caused nearly $19.6 billion in damage, meaning reconstruction could take years and require major investment.
For survivors like Calderón, the disaster is not only about rebuilding homes but also finding missing loved ones and understanding how such devastation happened.
One month later, Venezuela continues to search through the ruins — for answers, for justice and for the people still missing.
