Caracas: Venezuelan leaders have refuted accusations of delayed earthquake relief efforts. Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has dismissed accusations and heavy criticism regarding a delay in responding to the disaster, insisting the government declared a state of emergency and immediately launched rescue efforts following Wednesday's powerful earthquake. She also confirmed that rescue teams successfully freed a security guard who had been trapped under rubble for more than a week.

According to Thai News Agency, in her first press conference since taking office in January, Chief Executive Rodriguez explained that the two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, were a natural tragedy of unimaginable severity, even though the government was aware of the possibility of earthquakes in the country. She also affirmed that the government did not ignore the situation or wait one, two, or three days, but immediately ordered and provided assistance.

She further clarified that the government declared a state of emergency to begin implementing civil defense procedures and emergency relief measures within hours of the disaster. She also stated that almost all local officials in Laguira state, the hardest-hit area, had perished under the rubble. Furthermore, she reported the latest death toll had risen to 2,595 and confirmed that the rescue operation would not be halted at this time, as it is believed that more survivors may still be found.

Although Venezuela's leader has not officially stated the number of missing, data from unofficial online lists shows that the figure, which initially soared to nearly 60,000, has fallen to approximately 38,500. State television continues to broadcast images of the acting president meeting with military and security officials, while troops and police are deployed to patrol and manage traffic on major roads in Laguira state.

However, most rescue operations in the area were led primarily by civilians and volunteers, with victims using their bare hands, shovels, and pickaxes to dig for their relatives. Firefighters, civil defense units, international rescue teams, as well as medical and nursing students, provided support. Nevertheless, many volunteers and rescue workers expressed concern about the lack of heavy machinery, which is crucial for moving large concrete slabs and poses a significant obstacle to finding potential survivors under the rubble.

A 44-year-old security guard was rescued from the rubble of the shopping mall where he worked in the state of Laguira by a rescue team from El Salvador and Chile that worked together for 70 hours. He was then transported to a hospital to the relief of onlookers. Chilean firefighters revealed via the X platform that Mr. Gil is in good condition and safe because rescuers were able to continuously supply him with water through pipes while he was trapped under the collapsed building.