This Saturday, Venezuela witnessed two heartwarming rescues. A 10-month-old baby was pulled alive from the Nautilus Residences in Catia La Mar, while an 11-year-old boy named Moisés was saved after being trapped for over 74 hours beneath the ruins of Los Corales Residences, also in La Guaira, thanks to the efforts of the Colombian USAR COL-1 team.
The dramatic rescue of Moisés was carried out by Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). Their skilled team labored meticulously for six hours to reach the child, who was found three meters deep in the debris.
In a message filled with relief and joy, UNGRD announced, "Moisés has been rescued alive and is safe! We worked together with one goal: to save lives."
Sergeant Carlos Andrés Castro, the operations chief of USAR COL-1, detailed the extraordinary effort involved: "We spent about 6 to 8 hours on the rescue. The child had already been trapped for more than 74 hours."
Images from the scene captured the emotional celebration of the Colombian rescuers, tears of happiness streaming down their faces. One of them encapsulated the moment, saying, "Mission accomplished. Yes, there's still more to do, but this was a tremendous effort, and it was an outstanding operation. Welcome to life."
As they extricated the boy, rescuers soothed him with calming words: "Stay calm, buddy. Keep your eyes closed when you're coming down. We're going to move you a lot, but we won't let you fall."
Simultaneously, a baby was also saved from the ruins of the Nautilus Residences in Catia La Mar, with Venezuelan authorities and American rescue teams operating in the area.
Catastrophe's Aftermath
These rescues come in the wake of the devastating dual earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, that struck northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026, centered in Carabobo state near Morón.
La Guaira suffered extensive damage, with entire residential buildings collapsing in Catia La Mar, Macuto, and Caraballeda.
The official death toll has reached 1,430, with 3,238 injured. The United Nations estimates up to 50,000 missing and 6.76 million affected by the quakes.
Rescue missions are ongoing, with more than 16 nations contributing over 1,000 international rescuers on the ground in Venezuela.
Inspiring Stories of Survival
Among the most poignant rescues was that of an 18-day-old infant and her mother, who were saved after 32 hours trapped in Playa Grande. Another notable rescue was of Nayarit Colmenare, who was freed after 48 hours by the Salvadoran team, and Camila Sofía Medina Rivas, a 15-year-old girl, who was rescued alongside her dog Chanel.
Search and rescue operations continue across multiple sites in La Guaira, where many individuals remain unaccounted for beneath the collapsed structures.
Common Questions About the La Guaira Earthquake Rescues
How long was Moisés trapped under the rubble?
Moisés was trapped for over 74 hours before being rescued by the Colombian USAR COL-1 team.
What was the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes in La Guaira?
La Guaira experienced significant destruction, with many residential buildings in areas like Catia La Mar, Macuto, and Caraballeda completely collapsing.
How many countries have contributed to the rescue efforts in Venezuela?
Over 16 countries have sent rescue teams to Venezuela, involving more than 1,000 international rescuers.