Venezuela's interim president defends earthquake response

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has defended her government's actions following a powerful earthquake that has claimed over 2,500 lives, rejecting widespread criticism that the response was too slow. The devastating 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes struck the country last week, causing widespread destruction, particularly in the northern state of La Guaira.

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It was a natural tragedy on a scale we never imagined, even though we knew that a seismic event could occur in our country. We did not wait one, two or three days. We acted immediately.

Rodriguez, speaking at her first press conference since taking power in January, asserted that the government acted immediately, deploying 4,000 officials on the first day and increasing the number to 19,000. She stated that an emergency decree was issued to activate protocols and insisted that "everything in our power" has been done to address the crisis. She described visiting children in hospitals who had lost limbs and were mourning loved ones, acknowledging the profound pain caused by the tragedy.

Despite the president's claims, many civilians, including survivors, volunteers, and foreign rescue teams, have described the government's response as slow and ineffectual. Reports indicate delays in aid, such as food and medical supplies, and a persistent lack of heavy machinery needed to clear the rubble. Much of the search and rescue effort has been led by civilians, who have been digging through debris with basic tools, sometimes alongside soldiers who volunteered for the task.

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We've done everything in our power, and we'll continue to do everything in our power and more.

The death toll has risen to 2,595, according to Rodriguez, with an unofficial online list of the missing having decreased from nearly 60,000 to around 38,500. The United Nations is procuring 10,000 body bags, and the US Geological Survey has estimated that more than 10,000 deaths are possible. Rodriguez also criticized what she termed "media laboratories" for their reporting on the disaster.

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I've had to go through some very painful experiences.