Delayed orders, confusion slowed Venezuelan military's response to quakes, sources say
Sources said delayed orders, equipment shortages and confusion slowed the first 48 hours, while civilians led much of the rescue effort.
- Last month, 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela's coast, killing about 5,000 people according to government estimates, as delayed orders and confusion hindered military deployment during critical rescue hours.
- Years of economic crisis have reduced military readiness, with budgets focused on payroll rather than equipment; when earthquakes struck on Army Day, many personnel were off duty and officers feared acting without direct orders.
- Civilians spearheaded rescue efforts during the first two days, using rudimentary tools to extract survivors, while the Marine Infantry Brigade remained idle without receiving instructions to mobilize.
- Acting President Delcy Rodriguez defended the response, claiming 4,000 officials were deployed immediately, though overlapping authority between National Guard commander Juan Sulbaran Quintero and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello created operational confusion.
- The United States Geological Survey predicts a final death toll nearly double the government's estimate of about 5,000, while Rodriguez dismissed reports of chaos as "media laboratories" without providing evidence.
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Delayed orders, confusion slowed Venezuelan military's response to quakes, sources say
Delayed orders from senior military commanders, a lack of basic equipment and overall confusion were among the issues that hindered the deployment of Venezuelan troops in the crucial first days after two devastating earthquakes struck the country's coast last month, eight sources familiar with the response told Reuters, amid public outrage over the government's response to the disaster.
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Delayed orders, confusion slowed Venezuelan military’s response to quakes, sources say
July 18 (Reuters) - Delayed orders from senior military commanders, a lack of basic equipment and overall confusion were among the issues that hindered the deployment of Venezuelan troops in the crucial first days after two devastating earthquakes stru...
Civilians led much of the response, especially in the first two days, providing aid as food and using rudimentary tools to rescue both the living and the dead from the rubble.
Uncertainty about who was responsible for coordinating the crisis and lack of adequate equipment delayed the efforts of the Armed Forces, according to sources
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- 59% of the sources lean Right
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