Venezuela’s leader defends quake response as thousands remain missing

AI Summary

Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodriguez defended the government's response to two powerful earthquakes that killed over 2,000 people. Despite criticism over slow action, civilians and international rescue teams have been actively involved in relief efforts, with the hardest-hit area being La Guaira.

Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday rejected allegations that her government reacted ⁠too slowly to destruction caused by two earthquakes which killed more than 2,000 people, after days of widespread criticism of the official response. Civilians of all stripes - including survivors, family members, volunteer paramedics and foreign rescue teams - have descended on disaster areas, especially the hardest-hit northern state of La Guaira, since the 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes...