Venezuela earthquake recovery needs institutional legitimacy, warns Peace Lab

The Venezuelan organization Laboratorio de Paz is urging that the nation's recovery from recent earthquakes must extend beyond rebuilding homes and infrastructure. In two new publications, the group argues that preserving institutional legitimacy and adhering to the constitution are equally vital for a true recovery.

The organization's works, "Reconstruir con legitimidad. ¿Por qué importa el vencimiento del plazo constitucional de la presidencia encargada?" and "Reconstruir con legitimidad. 10 preguntas para entender por qué la Constitución también importa después del terremoto," aim to clarify how constitutional discussions impact emergency response and reconstruction. One text analyzes the link between the humanitarian crisis, the end of the interim presidency's term, and institutional continuity during recovery. The other uses a simple question-and-answer format for the general public, explaining how constitutional rules affect aid distribution, community rebuilding, and public resource management.

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After a natural disaster, we tend to think of cement, machinery, and economic resources. All of that is essential. But no society rebuilds solely with materials. It also needs institutions capable of generating trust, managing resources transparently, and protecting people's rights.

"After a natural disaster, we tend to think of cement, machinery, and economic resources. All of that is essential. But no society rebuilds solely with materials. It also needs institutions capable of generating trust, managing resources transparently, and protecting people's rights," stated Rafael Uzcátegui, co-director of Laboratorio de Paz. He stressed that institutional recovery requires transparency and respect for rights, combining humanitarian aid with mechanisms that foster trust and ensure transparent decision-making.

Uzcátegui further explained that rebuilding structures like hospitals, homes, or schools also means rebuilding trust. This trust, he noted, depends on the legitimate, transparent, and democratic exercise of power. Laboratorio de Paz hopes these materials will stimulate discussion on the institutional challenges accompanying Venezuela's reconstruction.

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When a society rebuilds hospitals, homes, or schools, it is also rebuilding trust. And that trust depends on power being exercised with legitimacy, transparency, and respect for democratic rules.