Four Venezuelan police officers have been arrested and face dismissal after being accused of looting cash from the rubble of a building that collapsed during last week's devastating twin earthquakes. The officers, members of the scientific, penal and criminalistic investigation service corps (CICPC), were caught on video taking a safe full of dollars from a ruined building in the hard-hit state of La Guaira.
In a statement, the CICPC confirmed the arrests and said disciplinary action for “immediate dismissal” had begun. “In light of the recent events in the areas affected by the earthquakes in La Guaira state, it was confirmed that a group of officers, deviating from their duties and taking advantage of the rescue and humanitarian aid efforts, acted improperly by appropriating valuables found among the rubble,” the statement said. It added that the conduct “directly undermines the institution’s prestige and public respect.”
Death toll and rescue efforts
The back-to-back quakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck on 24 June, killing nearly 2,000 people, injuring more than 10,000, and leaving tens of thousands missing. Rescue operations continue in Playa Grande and other areas of La Guaira state, one of the hardest-hit locations. Hopes of finding more survivors are dwindling, though a three-year-old boy was pulled alive from rubble on Tuesday.
Preliminary satellite data analysis suggests more than 58,000 buildings may have been damaged or destroyed, dwarfing official estimates. On Monday, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said 855 buildings were damaged, including 189 “total collapses.”
Public anger and volunteer efforts
Public anger is growing over the slow pace of the government’s rescue effort and reports of looting by military and police personnel. Volunteers, many with only shovels, ropes, and bare hands, say they are doing everything to locate survivors while some officials block aid and co-opt donations. Hundreds of volunteers continue to stream into La Guaira.
“We want to do everything we can to help,” said Fabiano Nadales, 35, a volunteer from Valencia traveling with a team of medical students and amateur searchers. “Miracles happen. Some people can survive 10 days,” he added. Estefania Callejas, 25, a third-year medical student, said, “It’s really tough … but we are just trying to help.”
Senior government officials have blamed misinformation for civilian anger and reports of looting, urging the public to ignore “manipulation strategies on social networks.” However, volunteer rescuers see little evidence of authorities rushing to help. “You see the firefighters and [Mexican rescue team] Los Topos,” Alexander Delgado, a teacher from Aragua, told Reuters. “But you don’t see the state, per se.” His team has spent five days shifting rubble in La Guaira, supported by local volunteers bringing water, face masks, and ice.
Lack of heavy equipment and aid issues
By Tuesday, six days after the quakes, there were only two international rescue teams, some local firefighters, and one truck from Venezuela’s forensic service, lacking heavy equipment. Mijaed Díaz, a veterinarian volunteer, said, “I would like more presence of public entities, who really are those responsible for this. But in the end we’re used to making do with almost nothing.”
Daniela Armas, waiting for food in an emergency shelter in La Guaira, described the situation as desperate: “They give out supplies here, but sometimes people nearly kill each other for food. It’s like a cockfight.” After initially thanking civilian volunteers, the government restricted public access to La Guaira on Friday, enraging those trying to help. One government employee at a checkpoint witnessed police and military commandeer aid from three trucks, bragging about what they “scored.”
Political context
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez is trying to shore up power after the US snatched her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, in January. James Story, former US ambassador to Venezuela, said, “Delcy and company have been in charge for 26 years and they only have one script. They take credit for anything positive, push blame for anything negative and try to control the narrative.” Donald Trump has hailed the US relationship with Rodríguez, and American companies have expressed interest in Venezuelan oil and gold. US embassy charge d’affaires John Barrett vouched for Rodríguez’s disaster handling, telling Univision he had “a great deal of confidence” in local authorities.
Venezuela’s ministry of communications did not respond to requests for comment.
