29/06/2026 09:38 - Internacionales
When the chances of finding survivors seemed to diminish with each passing hour, an international rescue team achieved a remarkable discovery that renewed hope in Venezuela. A man and his son were extracted alive this Sunday from the rubble of a collapsed building in Caraballeda, nearly four days after devastating earthquakes struck the northern region of the country.
The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred on June 24, 2026, leaving a tragic toll of more than 1,450 deceased, 3,238 injured, and approximately 70,000 missing according to official figures released on June 28, 2026.
Teams from France and the United States worked for several hours to create a safe passage through enormous concrete blocks and collapsed structures.
They first managed to extract the child, and minutes later, his father. Both were conscious although showing clear signs of exhaustion after being trapped since the beginning of the emergency.
La Guaira state was the most affected area by the double earthquake, with 774 buildings damaged and more than 2,927 families affected. In Caraballeda, building collapses were practically widespread.
The international response was immediate: 24 countries sent aid with a total of 2,741 international rescuers, 137 search dogs, and 84.4 tons of medical supplies, according to data released as of June 29, 2026.
| Country/Organization | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 26 military personnel, canine teams, medical staff, water purification plants |
| United States | 5 C-17 Globemaster aircraft, USA-01 brigade |
| France | UIISC 7, participated in the father and son rescue |
| Spain | ERICAM and UME, multiple rescues |
| Colombia | Rescue of Moisés (11 years old, under 3 meters of rubble) |
| Pope Leo XIV | Donation of 100,000 euros |
| Caritas Spain | 300,000 euros from the Emergency Program |
The rescue of the father and his son adds to a series of hopeful discoveries that have moved the world:
Mother and 9-month-old baby: Rescued by the USA-01 brigade from the United States.
Moisés (11 years old): Rescued by Colombia from under 3 meters of rubble after 6 hours of work.
60-year-old woman: Rescued after 86 hours trapped.
18-day-old baby and mother: Rescued after 32 hours under rubble.
Although specialists recall that the first 48 to 72 hours are usually decisive for finding people alive after an earthquake, they also point out that some survivors can endure longer when they manage to access small air pockets and have water. Each sign of survival requires modifying removal tasks to prioritize precision rescue operations.
The information was confirmed by Infobae and is supported by official data released by the United Nations and Venezuelan authorities.
The tragedy in Venezuela has mobilized one of the largest international humanitarian aid responses in the recent history of Latin America. Each rescue renews hope for thousands of families still searching for their loved ones.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
