29/06/2026 03:04 - Internacionales
When the chances of finding survivors seemed to diminish with each passing hour, a series of miraculous rescues renewed hope in Venezuela. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, international teams managed to extract multiple survivors alive who had been trapped for nearly four days under collapsed buildings.
Venezuela, located on the northern coast of South America, is a nation of approximately 28 million people. La Guaira, the state most affected by this disaster, is a coastal region just 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Caracas, the country's capital, and serves as the main port city for the metropolitan area.
A joint operation by specialized teams from France and the United States successfully rescued a man and his son from the remains of a collapsed building in Caraballeda, one of the hardest-hit areas in La Guaira state.
Rescuers worked for several hours to create a safe passage through enormous concrete blocks. They first extracted the child, and minutes later, his father. Both were conscious, though showing evident signs of exhaustion after being trapped since the beginning of the emergency.
Source: Infobae
The U.S. State Department reported that members of the USA-01 brigade, together with local firefighters, rescued a mother and her nine-month-old baby from the rubble of a collapsed structure.
Both were found alive with minor injuries and were brought to safety amid applause from neighbors. The U.S. State Department posted on social media: "Against impossible odds, hope endures. Every life saved is a victory."
Source: Infobae
In separate operations within hours of each other, two 11-year-old children were rescued from the rubble, as reported by BBC Mundo.
Moisés – Rescued by Colombia
The Colombian National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported that the boy was buried under 3 meters (10 feet) of rubble. The team performed six hours of "high-precision work" to reach him. He was found near his sister and mother, who had passed away.
Second Child – Rescued by Mexico
Venezuela's Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez posted a video on X showing the child being lowered on a stretcher by Mexican rescuers. She wrote: "Every life saved gives hope to Venezuela."
Source: BBC Mundo
| Data | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Fatalities | More than 1,450 |
| Injured | More than 3,150 |
| Missing Persons | Nearly 70,000 |
| International Rescuers | More than 2,200 (24 countries) |
| Buildings Affected in La Guaira | 774 |
| Countries with Teams on Site | 24 |
The magnitude of the disaster has mobilized a massive international response. More than 2,200 rescuers from 24 countries are now participating in operations, according to the United Nations.
🇺🇸 United States
Sent a special contingent with 5 C-17 Globemaster aircraft, an Air Force Contingency Response Unit, and the USA-01 brigade
🇪🇸 Spain
ERICAM and UME teams rescued an elderly person and two grandchildren, plus another survivor after 72 hours
🇫🇷 France
UIISC 7 working in Caraballeda alongside U.S. teams
Experts note that the first 48 to 72 hours are typically critical for finding people alive after an earthquake. However, some survivors can endure longer when they manage to:
More than 85 hours have passed since the earthquakes, but rescue teams have not given up, stating that there may still be survivors.
Argentina sent 26 specialized military personnel from the PUMA USAR ARG 13 Brigade, along with canine units, medical teams, 2 water purification plants, 134 tents, and 48 kitchen kits. The contingent arrived in Caracas on June 27, 2026, at 2:30 AM and deployed to Caraballeda, La Guaira state.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela with only 39 seconds between them. For reference, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake releases approximately 32 times more energy than a magnitude 6.0. The state of La Guaira was the most affected, with the collapse of more than 700 buildings. The Venezuelan government described the event as "the most fatal event this Republic has suffered in the last 123 years."
Despite the immense tragedy, the solidarity shown by nations around the world demonstrates the power of human compassion. Every rescue is a triumph of life over death, and teams continue working tirelessly to find more survivors. The international community stands united with Venezuela in this moment of need.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
