Venezuela Death Toll Hits 920 as La Guaira Declared Disaster Zone

La Guaira Declared Disaster Zone

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has ordered the militarisation of La Guaira, declaring the state a natural disaster zone after deadly earthquakes shook central Venezuela.

Speaking from the Integral Operational Defence Zone, known as Zodi, Rodriguez said La Guaira was the worst-hit area, with the quake having “devastated entire areas.”

Military And Rescue Response

“Within that framework, I want to report that we have made the decision to militarise the state, as you can already see, our Bolivarian National Armed Force, its different branches are in the territory of La Guaira state to address this very harsh situation affecting our people,” she explained.

Rodriguez also announced immediate response plans to clear the main road into the disaster zone, saying the work had allowed national and international rescue teams to reach the worst-affected areas.

“We will continue receiving delegations arriving from other countries. We are already waiting for the full delegation from the United States to arrive, for the delegation from Colombia, from Spain, and from Barbados to arrive. A first contingent from Mexico has already arrived, another contingent is still pending […] during the next few hours, we will be engaged in these coordination tasks with the rescuers,” she added.

Death Toll Continues Rising

The official death toll has risen to 920, with 2,980 people injured. Rodriguez said dozens of people had been pulled alive from the rubble, while 214 aftershocks had been recorded.