In a heartening development amidst the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, a child has been rescued alive after being trapped for over five days under the rubble in the Caribe sector of La Guaira state. This area is among the hardest hit by the catastrophic earthquakes, the EFE agency reported on Tuesday.
The Venezuelan regime’s Ministry of Communication and Information announced the rescue through the social media platform X at 9:16 PM local time on Monday. However, specific details about the timing of the rescue or the child’s identity and age were not disclosed.
This discovery is one of the most uplifting since the twin earthquakes on June 24th that devastated vast regions of the country. It raises hopes for emergency teams tirelessly searching for more survivors amidst the devastation.
The news follows the rescue of another child, Carlos Miguel Colmenares, aged 12, who was found alive in the ruins of a building in Macuto, also in La Guaira. This operation involved the USAR ECU-01 team from Quito’s Fire Department, comprising 47 Ecuadorian specialists, along with rescuers from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. They utilized endoscopic cameras to pinpoint the child's location before extraction.
Following the latest rescue, the Venezuelan regime issued a statement celebrating the event, declaring, “The miracle of life is a victory of hope and the perseverance of our rescuers, firefighters, brigadiers, and security forces. Every life saved is a light shining amidst the rubble.”
The June 24th, 2026 earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 occurring just 39 seconds apart, are the most powerful in Venezuela since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenters were located in Yaracuy state, and the tremors were felt from Colombia to several Caribbean islands, including Aruba and Curacao.
The official toll has risen to over 1,719 fatalities and 5,034 injuries. Authorities report more than 15,800 displaced individuals and 855 buildings affected, with 189 completely collapsed. Meanwhile, the UN estimates up to 50,000 people might be missing, and the USGS suggests the actual death toll could be significantly higher than reported.
Satellite images analyzed by NASA indicate around 59,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, particularly in coastal areas such as Caraballeda, Macuto, and Catia La Mar.
Among the confirmed victims are people of various nationalities, including 60 Portuguese, 11 Italians, and at least two Cubans. On June 29th, a Cuban family of six was found deceased under debris in La Guaira, with at least 32 other Cubans still missing in the area.
More than 2,000 rescuers from 27 countries, coordinated by the United Nations, continue their search and rescue operations. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that the direct damages caused by the earthquakes amount to $6.7 billion, although the total economic impact could range between $10.05 billion and $20.1 billion.
Key Information on the Venezuelan Earthquake Crisis
What magnitude were the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24th, 2026, had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
How many people have been confirmed dead due to the earthquakes?
The official death toll stands at over 1,719, but estimates suggest the real number could be much higher.
How many buildings were affected by the earthquakes?
Approximately 59,000 buildings suffered damage or were destroyed, particularly in coastal areas.
What is the estimated economic impact of the earthquakes?
The estimated economic impact ranges from $10.05 billion to $20.1 billion, with direct damages at around $6.7 billion.