Engineers urge structural audits in Venezuela after earthquakes expose construction flaws

Engineers are calling for urgent structural audits of Venezuela's public housing developments after two consecutive earthquakes damaged a coastal housing complex built under Hugo Chávez's socialist revolution. The complex, known as Los Cocos in La Guaira, was intended to provide new opportunities for residents displaced by earlier floods. However, the recent tremors caused significant damage, with some residents fearing the worst for those on the second floor of a building that partially collapsed.

While a precise cause for each building's collapse is yet to be determined, construction specialists point to decades of neglect and the failure to enforce building codes during the governments of Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. These issues, combined with the inherently unstable soil conditions in La Guaira, likely worsened the tragedy's impact. Residents like Yelsa Rojas, who survived only because she was away during the earthquakes, expressed despair over losing her apartment and fear for neighbors.

As rescue efforts continue, civil engineers are concerned about the structural integrity of other buildings that may have been compromised by the earthquakes. They are eager to collaborate with the government to assess these structures and ensure residents' safety. However, frustration is mounting among specialists due to delays in the government's response. Although authorities met with the country's main engineering professional body, formal evaluations have not yet begun.

Architect and urban planner Enrique Larrañaga of the Simón Bolívar University criticized the government's slow acceptance of external aid, calling it "criminal." The Ministry of Communication has not responded to requests for comment. While interim president Delcy Rodríguez announced a commission to evaluate damaged housing structures, the timeline for inspections remains unclear. The government has also faced criticism for the delayed deployment of heavy machinery and specialized search and rescue equipment, forcing many locals to attempt rescues themselves.