DistantNews
Support us
🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuelan Opposition Accuses Police of Blocking Earthquake Aid Distribution

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Opposition groups in Venezuela accuse state security forces of blocking and confiscating humanitarian aid intended for earthquake victims.
  • Authorities allegedly restricted aid distribution points, banned specific terminology, and demanded all supplies be handed over to security agencies.
  • These actions have drawn strong condemnation from opposition leaders who call for unity and citizen-led solidarity.

Opposition groups in Venezuela are accusing state security forces and rescue authorities of forcibly restricting, dismantling, and centralizing humanitarian aid organized by civilians for earthquake victims. Reports indicate that security bodies and rescue teams are hindering the distribution of aid in the states of Portuguesa and Carabobo.

How is it possible that at these difficult times for all Venezuelans they approach to say that these supplies cannot be delivered by them, but must only be delivered to these security agencies?

— María OropezaQuestioning the authorities' decision to seize humanitarian aid intended for earthquake victims.

The controversy began in Portuguesa, where political leader María Oropeza reported that police and Civil Protection commissions entered neighborhood aid points. They allegedly imposed operational and linguistic restrictions, explicitly prohibiting the use of the term "centro de acopio" (collection center) and demanding it be replaced with "recolección de insumos" (supply collection).

More critically, authorities in Portuguesa ordered volunteers not to distribute aid directly to those affected by the recent earthquakes. Instead, all collected supplies must be exclusively handed over to state security organizations. Oropeza questioned this directive, asking how such assistance could be withheld during a critical time for Venezuelans and emphasizing the need for citizen-led solidarity.

Enough with following orders about the tragedy of Venezuelans. It is time for us to unite and put the citizen's will forward.

— María OropezaCalling for unity and prioritizing the needs of citizens over government directives.

The pattern of official control extended to Carabobo, where the political organization Vente Venezuela reported that police forces in Valencia were ordered to shut down aid centers established by civilian teams. These centers had been collecting water, medicine, and non-perishable food. Vente Venezuela strongly rejected the police action, linking it to directives from the ruling party and stating that they should not need permission from the PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) to help fellow citizens in critical need.

We do not have to ask the PSUV for permission to help our Venezuelan brothers who are in critical condition.

— Vente VenezuelaResponding to the alleged shutdown of civilian aid centers by police.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog