'We have people alive': Demands grow for machinery and aid to rescue survivors in La Guaira

Nearly 48 hours after powerful earthquakes struck Caracas and central Venezuela, families and volunteers in the state of La Guaira are voicing urgent pleas for heavy machinery and specialized equipment to aid in the rescue of survivors trapped in the rubble.

Complaints are mounting regarding the perceived lack of attention from both local and national authorities. Social media platforms have become a conduit for desperate messages, with opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa's son, Ramón Guanipa, sharing numerous accounts of the difficulties residents face. "We are receiving dozens of messages denouncing the lack of heavy machinery and specialized equipment to rescue people in Residencias Caribe, Perlamar, Los Corales, and other sites in La Guaira," he stated in a video, appealing to Venezuelan authorities and the international community for enhanced emergency operations.

Professional athletes have lent their voices to the growing chorus of demands. Venezuelan footballer Robert Garcés, alongside other professional players, posted a video pleading for assistance to rescue individuals trapped in the Cumanagoto residence in Playa Grande. "At this moment, we only have one machine. It is not enough. We need a telescopic crane, a cordless grinder, the 'octopus' [rescue tool], and a lot of human help," Garcés expressed, noting that dozens of volunteers have been working for hours to clear debris.

Videos circulating on social media show desperate family members who claim to still be in contact with loved ones buried beneath collapsed buildings. One woman recounted that her cousin managed to communicate by phone from Block 3, Section A of La Páez, in Catia La Mar, where he is reportedly trapped with two young girls. "We have people alive. We need large machinery," she pleaded, underscoring the critical need for immediate and effective rescue efforts.