08/07/2026 21:13 - Internacionales
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, around 16:00 local time, rescue teams recovered the body of Lucas Gámez, a 9-year-old Argentine boy who had been trapped under the rubble of the Miramar building in Caraballeda, La Guaira state, following the devastating double earthquake that shook Venezuela.
Despite the tragic outcome, Lucas's story moved the entire world, uniting thousands of people in a single clamor of hope during 14 days of relentless searching. His family, who never lost faith, said goodbye with emotional messages filled with love.
Lucas was born in Buenos Aires on July 6, 2017. His parents, Blancalida Martínez and Marco Gámez, are Venezuelans who had settled in Argentina since 2013. In January 2026, for personal reasons, they decided to return to their home country. 'We were living a normal life, but destiny played a trick on us,' Marco recounted days before.
On June 24, Lucas was visiting the beach with his maternal uncles. Minutes after returning to the Miramar building, earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck, leaving La Guaira devastated. From that moment, his parents, along with international rescue teams (including Argentine experts), did everything possible to find him. Marco even helped remove large concrete blocks with cranes.
A birthday among the rubble: On July 6, while Lucas remained missing, his loved ones brought a cake and symbolically sang 'Happy Birthday' outside the collapsed building. A gesture of love that moved everyone.
Upon hearing the news, friends and family flooded social media with condolence messages. Sports journalist Fernando Petrocelli, Lucas's uncle, wrote: 'Rest in peace, Lucas. A hug to my dear Marco and Blanca. I deeply admire your tenacity. You have a little angel watching over you always, who earned the love of the whole world.'
The boy's godmother, Vivi, posted: 'The sky dressed in colors! Thank you for giving us so much love. My eternal little prince, Aunt Vivi loves you.' In another story, she added: 'And even though it's the hardest test, the miracle was fulfilled! The world united in one clamor. Now, you rest next to your uncles in the arms of our Creator.'
The earthquakes on June 24 left a tragic toll in the Caribbean country. According to official reports, there were 3,685 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and 17,907 people left homeless. La Guaira was ground zero, with 190 buildings collapsed, including the Miramar where Lucas was staying.
Faced with the magnitude of the disaster, Argentina sent 16 tons of aid and doctors, actively collaborating in rescue efforts. Lucas was passionate about football and played in the youth divisions of Defensores de Belgrano when he lived in Buenos Aires. His memory will remain indelible in the hearts of those who searched for him with so much hope.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
