Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,500

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has dismissed criticism of her government’s handling of recent earthquakes, denying allegations of delayed rescue operations and underreported casualty numbers. Speaking at a press conference in Caracas, Rodríguez defended the administration’s response, emphasizing that emergency teams had mobilized swiftly and that official figures reflected accurate assessments. The remarks come amid growing scrutiny from opposition groups and international observers, who have questioned the pace of aid distribution and transparency in reporting the disaster’s impact.

The earthquakes, which struck the northern coast of the country, left at least 120 people dead and hundreds injured, according to the latest government tally. Rodríguez acknowledged the challenges posed by the region’s infrastructure and limited resources but rejected claims of systemic negligence, citing satellite imagery and on-the-ground assessments to support the official death count. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have called for independent verification of the data, noting discrepancies in reports from local authorities. The government has also faced criticism for delaying the arrival of foreign aid, with some alleging bureaucratic hurdles have slowed relief efforts.

Rodríguez reiterated the administration’s commitment to addressing the crisis, vowing to expand reconstruction efforts and improve disaster preparedness. However, the controversy underscores broader tensions over governance and accountability in Venezuela, where political divisions often complicate responses to emergencies. As the situation evolves, the government and its critics remain at odds over the scale of the disaster and the effectiveness of the recovery measures.