Venezuelan Cement Unfit for Earthquake Reconstruction, Industry Warns

Residents in Venezuela face an uncertain future as the country grapples with the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24, leaving many homeless.

While the government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has proposed a reconstruction plan, concerns are mounting over the quality of materials to be used. Specifically, the cement produced in Venezuela is being flagged as unsuitable for rebuilding homes. This has sparked fears among inhabitants of La Guaira that a new tragedy could unfold, similar to past events like the 1999 "vaguada" or the recent earthquake where over 100 buildings collapsed entirely.

Orlando Chirinos, president of the United Federation of Cement Workers of Venezuela, stated that warnings about the risks associated with using CPCA 1 cement, a type of additive cement not recommended for large-scale construction, were issued eight years ago. He explained that this cement is better suited for finishes like plastering or flooring, rather than for constructing houses or buildings.

Chirinos urged the interim government to heed these warnings and ensure that reconstruction efforts utilize high-quality materials. He stressed the need for corrective measures to resume the production of Type 1 cement, which meets necessary quality standards. The Venezuelan cement industry is currently operating at a mere 10% of its installed capacity, producing less than one million metric tons annually out of a potential nine million. Many plants, like the Planta Lara in Barquisimeto, have only one of their three furnaces operational, leading to intermittent production and a final product that falls short of quality benchmarks. Experts and survivors are concerned that structures built by the state, such as those under the Gran Misión Vivienda Venezuela program, may have been compromised by the substandard cement.