Venezuela earthquake rescue efforts enter grim recovery phase as U.S. rejects criticism of government response

Rescue teams in Venezuela moved deeper into recovery operations on Thursday as fires burned in flattened neighborhoods and rescuers reported a pervasive smell associated with decomposing bodies across streets littered with debris. The shift from rescue to recovery has become more pronounced nearly a week after the twin earthquakes struck parts of the country, as authorities and international teams continued pulling for any remaining survivors trapped under collapsed structures.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez faced renewed scrutiny over how the government has handled the aftermath, according to multiple reports, with Venezuelans and outside observers arguing that the response has been inadequate. The pressure is intensifying politically as the government prepares for an upcoming change in Rodríguez’s tenure.

Reports say Rodríguez’s current 180-day mandate as acting leader is set to expire, and that the timeline is driving efforts by the government and its allies to manage both the emergency response and the political consequences of the delay. One day before the mandate extension period, the public dispute over the adequacy of rescue logistics is unfolding alongside the administrative process for leadership continuity.

In the field, international rescue teams described the difficulty of extracting people from rubble as days passed. In one case reported by the Los Angeles Times, rescuers pulled a 43-year-old security guard alive from a collapsed basement early Thursday, ending a prolonged search that had kept hopes alive after nearly a week underground.

The rescue work has also included coordinated visits and support among foreign teams. French Civil Security personnel, including Lieutenant-Colonel Vianney Labbe, and French Ambassador Emmanuel Pineda reportedly toured a temporary camp of the French Civil Security in La Guaira during the days following the earthquakes, according to reporting that placed the visit in the context of external assistance and training after the June 24 quakes.

While the U.S. government has been drawn into the debate over who is to blame for delays and shortcomings, the Washington Times reported that U.S. officials rebuffed criticism directed at the government’s disaster response. The dispute reflects a broader diplomatic challenge: how external partners should weigh accountability claims against the practical needs of rescue operations, including access, resources, and coordination among local authorities and international teams.

With the disaster response continuing and the political timetable approaching, Venezuelan officials and foreign rescue groups are now operating under two pressures at once: sustaining search activity long enough to reach trapped survivors, and managing the public and institutional fallout tied to how the emergency has been handled. The next days will likely determine whether additional rescues remain possible or whether the focus will consolidate further into recovery and identification efforts.