Surviving the night: The other tragedy in La Guaira

As night falls on La Guaira, the Venezuelan state most ravaged by the June 24 double earthquake, fear intensifies among those displaced. Official reports indicate over 2,000 deaths and 3,000 injuries, but many believe the true toll is higher. For survivors, the darkness brings not only cold but also a gnawing anxiety and a desperate hope for a miracle.

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When night falls in La Guaira, the state most devastated by the double earthquake of June 24, fear increases among those who were left homeless.

Egnis, a resident of Caraballeda, described how her life was irrevocably altered by the seismic event. While daytime offers a semblance of normalcy, the onset of night brings "anguish and dread." She lamented the lack of basic services, electricity, internet, and water, leaving communities isolated and uninformed about the wider situation. "We don't know what's happening around us because we have no information," she stated, illuminated by a rechargeable lamp as rescue efforts continued nearby under moonlight.

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Then comes the anguish, the dread. The hours pass slowly, they seem endless. It is something very strong that we are experiencing.

Despite assurances from National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez that 90% of electrical service has been restored, the reality on the ground contradicts these claims. Numerous sectors remain without power, and a growing wave of insecurity has emerged. Egnis reported increasing accounts of looting and theft targeting unprotected, collapsed properties. This lack of official response and persistent insecurity fuels a desire among residents to leave the state, despite their deep-rooted connections to the region.

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We are adrift, she says. We have no electricity, no internet, no water. She denounced that they are neglected and isolated.

The uncertainty surrounding La Guaira's future weighs heavily on survivors like Egnis. "What answer will they give us? We don't know if they will evacuate us all," she questioned, highlighting the critical information vacuum. With communication lines down and authorities seemingly absent, many are left placing their faith in divine intervention for their situation to improve. The nights in La Guaira are described as "terrifying," with damaged buildings posing further risks to those seeking shelter.

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I'm scared, I have my attachment to my state because I was born here, but I want to leave because it truly terrifies me; this is already the second tragedy I've experienced.