US Provides Urgent Assistance to Venezuela following Devastating Earthquakes

Fox News correspondent Nate Foy reports live from the wreckage in Caracas, capturing rescue efforts after massive earthquakes hit Venezuela. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes have led to over 1,400 deaths and left more than 68,900 people unaccounted for. Teams, including U.S. military personnel, are racing against time to find survivors in a collapsed 17-story building as the 72-hour survival window diminishes. Search-and-rescue crews in Venezuela have managed to pull 33 people alive from rubble over the weekend after these twin disasters hit the northern coast. However, experts warn the chances of rescue diminish rapidly with nearly 50,000 still missing.

The Associated Press confirms the death toll reached 1,430 by late Saturday. Additionally, over 3,000 individuals have been injured and around the same number are residing in shelters, according to Venezuelan authorities. La Guaira state has faced the most severe destruction with apartment blocks, hotels, and housing units collapsing after the earthquakes struck. Continuous aftershocks are complicating rescue operations and forcing survivors to endure the heat outside.

Among the 33 rescued, an infant was found alive amid debris, thanks to U.S. rescuers. Colombian teams discovered an 11-year-old boy using a scanner, and Mexican crews saved another 11-year-old in Caraballeda. U.S. firefighters from Fairfax County, Virginia, dispatched by the State Department, are actively working to help trapped survivors in La Guaira.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez expressed hope through these rescues, highlighting each saved life as a beacon of hope for Venezuela. Swiss rescue-team leader Sebastian Eugster informs that the odds of locating survivors decrease significantly after 72 hours under rubble. This crucial period ended Saturday evening.

The number of missing remains uncertain. While some estimates report just under 50,000 missing on Sunday, the AP cites families noting 68,900 people missing on Saturday. This discrepancy underscores the chaos in tracking the deceased, displaced, and those unreachable due to communication issues.

The Trump administration has committed $150 million in aid and deployed Navy warships to assist after the deadly earthquakes. Meanwhile, Starlink is providing communication services amid this humanitarian emergency. “Starlink Mobile is offering free connectivity to @MovistarVe customers in La Guaira and working swiftly to support @DigitelAyuda and @movilnet_ve,” Starlink posted.

Pope Leo shared his solidarity with survivors and the victims’ families. “I wish to express my closeness to the Venezuelan brothers and sisters affected by the recent earthquakes,” he conveyed in Spanish to worshippers during the Angelus prayer in Rome.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Eric Mack reports breaking news with a focus on politics, elections, foreign affairs, and government.