Teenagers rehearsing dance when Venezuela earthquakes struck, parents still search rubble with 'almost no help'

María Lourdes Pérez clings to the hope of finding her two sons, Gonzalo, 16, and Santiago, 21, who disappeared during a rehearsal for their school's end-of-year dance when earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. The teenagers were preparing a surprise performance with classmates when two tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, hit northern Venezuela.

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I was left without a reason for living, they were everything to me.

Gonzalo, 16, was set to perform a Michael Jackson tribute, even wearing a custom sequined costume for the occasion. He was a well-rounded student, excelling academically while also participating in sports and planning to study mechatronic engineering. His older brother, Santiago, 21, was graduating with a degree in transport administration.

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The older one was my right-hand man, he helped me with absolutely everything.

"I was left without a reason for living, they were everything to me," María Lourdes shared, her voice heavy with grief. She describes Gonzalo as her "right-hand man" who helped with everything, and Santiago as a friendly, active young man who was always involved in school activities. The family's search for them continues amidst a desperate situation, with reports of "almost no help" available.

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The younger one was very friendly. He wanted to be in everything.