02/07/2026 22:37 - Internacionales
In the midst of the devastation left by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, news of hope reached millions. Hernán Gil (43 years old) was rescued uninjured on July 2, 2026, after being trapped for 114 hours under the rubble of a security booth in a seven-story building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira.
Gil's rescue was possible thanks to a monumental international operation that brought together 200 rescuers from 7 countries (Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal, and the United States). To keep him alive during the days he was underground, the teams provided him with 10.5 liters of water and oxygen through hoses.
Gil survived by taking shelter under a table and a chair in a basement, which created enough air space to resist. The first contact with rescuers occurred after more than 100 hours of uninterrupted work.
For our international readers: Catia La Mar and La Guaira are coastal cities in the state of La Guaira, located just north of Caracas, Venezuela's capital. This region is the country's main port and airport hub.
The earthquakes of June 24, 2026 had their epicenter near Morón, an industrial hub 170 km west of Caracas. As of July 2, 2026, the official toll reports 2,295 deaths and 11,267 injuries, with international agencies estimating the missing between 40,000 and 70,000 people.
Given the magnitude of the disaster, 27 countries sent humanitarian aid, deploying more than 3,300 rescuers and sending over 2,000 tons of supplies. The United States donated 300 million dollars and deployed 2,000 Southern Command troops, confirming that the country's oil infrastructure suffered no damage. Mexico sent 250 personnel and 71 tons of aid, with a ship en route.
The NASA documented 58,870 damaged buildings, with ground displacements of up to 40 cm. La Guaira was the most affected zone, with 855 buildings impacted and 189 total collapses. Estimated material damages reach 6.7 billion dollars, representing 6% of the country's GDP.
Hernán Gil's rescue joins other hopeful findings, such as a 3-year-old boy rescued after 140 hours by a Jordanian team, and an 18-day-old baby alongside their mother, found after 32 hours. The Venezuelan government decreed 7 days of national mourning, while the international community continues to provide unconditional support to rebuild the country.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
