Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez rejects criticism that the government responded too slowly to twin earthquakes that struck the country and have killed more than 2,000 people, with reports of higher figures as authorities and international actors continue assessments. Speaking amid days of public backlash, Rodríguez says allegations about the pace of rescue and the handling of casualties are misinformation. Multiple outlets report that the quakes caused widespread destruction, especially in the northern state of La Guaira, and that civilian and volunteer efforts have been active alongside foreign rescue teams.
While some media describe the death toll as topping 2,500 or reaching higher numbers, all accounts note that thousands remain unaccounted for or missing after the disaster. The Guardian also reports that Rodríguez says the country will not experience social unrest despite anger over the official response and delays in some areas. The overall coverage centers on the political and emergency-response dispute: the government’s defense versus public claims of inadequate rescue efforts and disagreement over official casualty counts.
