Venezuela: Families demand halt to building demolitions to recover earthquake victims' bodies

In La Guaira, Venezuela, families of earthquake victims are pleading for a halt to the demolition of buildings teetering on the brink of collapse. Their urgent plea stems from the belief that bodies of loved ones remain trapped within the debris, unrecovered.

For days, Venezuelan military personnel, Civil Protection, and other emergency bodies have been identifying structures slated for demolition. "We cannot allow this building to be demolished when there are still so many bodies of family members to rescue, alive or dead," stated Michell Gutiérrez, 30, who is desperately searching for his father to give him a proper burial.

Meanwhile, a Mexican military unit, the Yumare group, comprising 264 soldiers, has reported recovering 80 bodies from the earthquake rubble. The unit also rescued two individuals alive and one dog. They have provided 1,988 medical consultations, performed one surgery, and distributed 13.1 tons of medicine, eight power generators, and 71.2 tons of supplies.

The devastating earthquakes, which struck on June 24, have claimed at least 3,535 lives and left 16,740 people injured, according to reports.