US backs Venezuela's interim government amid earthquake recovery and criticism

The U.S. government has reiterated its support for Venezuela's interim government, led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The quake, which struck 11 days ago, has claimed nearly 3,000 lives, with the number of injured exceeding 16,500. International rescue teams and Venezuelan authorities continue search efforts, but the chances of finding survivors are diminishing.

As of early May 5, over 31,700 people remain unaccounted for, according to a missing persons website established by the opposition. The last survivor, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, a 43-year-old night guard, was rescued on May 2 from a shopping center in Cata-Mar, La Guaira state. However, no further survivor rescues have been reported since then, well past the typical 72-hour "golden time" for rescues.

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The United States has great confidence in Venezuela's interim government. They are showing complete transparency.

Criticism is mounting over the government's response to the disaster. Carlos Hurtado, near the coastal city of Caraballeda, told the Financial Times that while international rescue teams were "amazing," there was "no help from the government." Residents in other affected northern coastal areas echoed these sentiments, with one individual stating, "Our apartment collapsed like paper," and expressing frustration that their area, which should be a priority, received no government assistance.

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Except for the earthquake, Venezuela has become a happy country again, and people are dancing in the streets.

Presidential interim authority Rodríguez has also faced criticism. She visited a rescue site once but was met with shouts of "Get out!" from some survivors. The earthquake is seen as a significant political test for Rodríguez, who came to power in January following U.S. military intervention. As a key figure in the Maduro administration, she faces scrutiny for her role in past events.

Despite the domestic criticism, the Trump administration has publicly backed Rodríguez's government. U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela John Barrett stated in a media interview, "The United States has great confidence in Venezuela's interim government," adding that "they are showing complete transparency." President Trump himself remarked last week, "Except for the earthquake, Venezuela has become a happy country again, and people are dancing in the streets."

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International rescue teams were amazing, but there was no help from the government. We were not prepared and didn't even have rescue workers.

A poll conducted by Bloomberg and AtlasIntel after the earthquake showed that 63.3% of respondents had a negative view of the Rodríguez government. The poll also indicated that more people prioritized electing a new president over earthquake recovery efforts.

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Our apartment collapsed like paper. This place should be a priority, but no one from the government came.