Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello was captured on video last week rejecting an American rescue worker attempting to assist a victim in the earthquake-devastated state of La Guaira. The footage quickly gained widespread attention, as did discussions regarding Cabello's reasons for impeding the critical emergency assistance.
The incident highlights broader issues with Venezuela's earthquake response. The government cited concerns about maintaining order and ensuring the movement of authorized personnel and equipment in disaster zones. However, rescue workers, including a Chilean team and the Spanish USAR13 team, reported significant delays and restrictions on their operations.
International teams, which had responded promptly to Venezuela's request for aid, faced obstacles such as movement restrictions and visa issues, with some reports indicating that teams from Spain and France were unable to enter the country. Journalists also experienced delays in accessing La Guaira, being told their specialized visas and government transportation were postponed due to aftershocks and safety concerns. Critics, including US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar and Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, accused Venezuelan authorities of obstructing relief efforts.
The official government response has been criticized for being slow and uncoordinated, with eyewitnesses noting a primary focus on traffic control by police and military, while civilians and foreign teams conducted most of the rescues and recoveries. Instances of corruption and preferential treatment for areas with wealth and government connections have also been reported, further exacerbating the challenges faced by victims. The government reported 2,295 deaths and over 11,200 injuries from the earthquakes, with thousands more missing. Some residents attributed the faltering response to a depleted public sector due to low pay and corruption.
