Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said the Venezuelan government did not respond too slowly to twin earthquakes that struck the country's northern coast [1].
The statements come as the administration faces mounting criticism over its handling of the disaster, which has caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
Speaking during a press briefing in Caracas on Thursday, July 2, 2024, Rodríguez said she rejected allegations of delays in aid and rescue operations [2]. She said the reports of a slow response were "disgraceful misinformation" [3]. The interim president defended the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts, emphasizing the government's commitment to finding survivors in the affected regions [1].
Reports on the human cost of the disaster vary. Some sources indicate more than 2,000 people died [1], while other reports state at least 2,595 people have been killed [4].
Rodríguez highlighted a specific success in the rescue operations to counter the narrative of failure. She said a security guard was found alive after eight days [4]. This instance was presented as evidence that the government's persistence in search efforts is yielding results despite the scale of the tragedy.
The twin earthquakes have devastated portions of the northern coast, leaving thousands displaced and creating a critical need for medical supplies, and shelter. Rodríguez said the government continues to prioritize the recovery of victims and the stabilization of the region [1].
“"disgraceful misinformation"”
The tension between the Venezuelan government's official narrative and external reports of a slow response underscores the political volatility surrounding disaster management in the region. By highlighting a single high-profile rescue and labeling criticism as misinformation, the administration is attempting to maintain domestic legitimacy and control the information flow during a period of intense humanitarian crisis.
