Access to Waraira Repano National Park restricted due to post-earthquake instability

Access to Venezuela's Waraira Repano National Park, a vital green space for Caracas, remains heavily restricted following recent earthquakes and their aftershocks. The Ministry for Ecosocialism (Minec) has cited ongoing geological instability, including earth and soil movements, as the primary reason for limiting entry to trails and access points.

Minister Nelson Rodríguez explained that the seismic activity has created "active slopes," characterized by the displacement of soil and vegetation. This phenomenon exposes the terrain, increasing the risk of continuous sediment sliding, especially in the upper regions of river basins draining towards the capital. "When the earth is exposed to the elements, that's when these phenomena start to appear, which geologists call active slopes," Rodríguez stated, emphasizing the latent danger to anyone entering the affected areas.

While maintenance crews have cleared some debris from park roads, general access continues to be limited for safety reasons. Popular routes like the historic Camino de los Españoles and the main road from Cotiza to Galipán are currently off-limits. The instability poses a significant threat, particularly in areas prone to landslides.

The Sabas Nieves trail is the only path currently deemed to have minimal safety conditions for recreational use, but even this route has limitations. Pedestrian access is permitted only up to the park ranger station. All secondary trails branching off from Sabas Nieves remain indefinitely closed. Minec urges the public to adhere to safety signage and instructions from park rangers while technical assessments continue to determine when the affected areas of the mountain will be stable enough for full reopening.

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With respect to the accesses to Waraira, we had some displacements, especially of vegetation mass. When the earth is exposed to the elements, then these phenomena start to appear, which geologists call active slopes. That is, a certain degree of displacement of earth masses, of soil masses begins