Mary Lourdes Pérez endured an unimaginable tragedy when she lost her two sons and her mother in the earthquakes that ravaged Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Her heartbreaking story, shared in a viral Instagram video by journalist Román Camacho, highlights the complete negligence by the state during the initial days following the disaster in Caraballeda, La Guaira.
Her younger son, aged 16, was rehearsing a dance for the Colegio La Merced graduation party with 20 other teens when the earthquake struck. The rehearsal took place in the school's pool area or event hall.
Within the first minutes, five girls emerged with minor scratches; 36 hours later, a sixth was rescued. Tragically, another girl's body was found in the rubble, and one remained trapped for ten hours before being freed.
Mary Lourdes's eldest son, 21, was just 150 meters from the school building and was also buried. Her mother suffered the same fate in the vicinity.
State's Inaction and Desperation
"Since day one, we have been completely alone," Mary Lourdes lamented, her voice frail and broken.
Rescue teams did not arrive until the fifth day. "I'm not sure how many days have gone by, but I think it's the sixth day. They arrived on the fifth day," she recounted, having not left the site since the quake struck.
Her testimony included a shocking allegation: firefighters from the University of Carabobo demanded food and drink in exchange for being the first to enter the building where her son and his friends were trapped.
Alleged Exploitation by Rescuers
"They told me if I provided them with food and drink, they would be the first rescuers to enter the building," she revealed.
Mary Lourdes gave them everything she had—sandwiches, chocolates, and other supplies that relatives from Caracas had brought for her.
"I chose to give them all because my priority is to find my son," she explained. Yet, the firefighters left without fulfilling their promise.
"They simply left, and that was it. They made many promises and outright mocked me," she added.
Remembering Her Sons
In tears, she described her sons. Her youngest, she said, "was destined to be the Michael Jackson of his dance," and had a spot to study Mechatronic Engineering at the Catholic University.
Her older son, known to his friends as 'bambam,' was about to graduate from Simón Bolívar University with a degree in Transport Administration.
"I lost my reason to live, and I still have my mom. Mom is buried too, and absolutely no one has come to help," she concluded.
Mary Lourdes's ordeal is one of many documented in Caraballeda, where residents and families carried out rescue efforts with their own hands in the initial days.
Devastating Impact of Earthquakes
The earthquakes on June 24 were a seismic doublet with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart, with epicenters in Yaracuy and Carabobo. They were labeled by the United States Geological Survey as the most powerful quakes recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
La Guaira bore the brunt, with 158 of the 189 collapsed buildings located there.
NASA estimated nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and the official death toll reached 2,295. The United Nations estimates suggest over 50,000 individuals could be missing beneath the debris, a figure that starkly contrasts with the official numbers from Nicolás Maduro's regime, indicating a likely underestimation of the true scale of the tragedy.
Understanding the Venezuelan Earthquake Tragedy
How did the Venezuelan government respond to the earthquakes?
The response was criticized as inadequate, with rescue efforts delayed and allegations of negligence and exploitation by some rescuers.
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela in 2026?
The earthquakes were a doublet, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
What impact did the earthquakes have on infrastructure in Venezuela?
Approximately 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, with 158 of the 189 collapsed buildings located in La Guaira.
What is the estimated number of missing persons following the earthquakes?
The United Nations estimates over 50,000 people may be missing, a figure that contrasts with the official numbers provided by the Venezuelan government.