{"id":2026423,"date":"2026-07-03T10:17:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T07:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2026423"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:17:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T07:17:08","slug":"venezuelas-interim-leader-defends-earthquake-response-as-death-toll-tops-2500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2026423","title":{"rendered":"Venezuela&#8217;s interim leader defends earthquake response as death toll tops 2,500"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/37\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_cb8061cf-45c5-58ed-b427-86cff5d6eac2-9823794.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2906651-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906651\" data-cid=\"9822085\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906651-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/20\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_cef37381-6743-531d-bfa0-6049cf67b472-9822085.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The American Merops drone system, deployed by Poland and Romania to defend Russian drones, is tested in Nowa Deba, Poland, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO&#8217;s drone problem: Can European industry close the gap?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907184-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907184\" data-cid=\"9825051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907184-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/50\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_33c0f24d-b6e8-5bcc-a47a-691872448f27-9825051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates react after Cape Verde&apos;s Diney Borges (3) scored an own goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Miami Gardens.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Argentina survive major World Cup scare as Egypt edge past Australia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906711-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2906711\" data-cid=\"9822500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906711-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/25\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_d88f815a-658c-5fd4-9a4e-c7e57f1422bc-9822500.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Meet My Mama: spicing up French gastronomy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Food and Drink<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meet My Mama: how home cooks turned chefs spice up French gastronomy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905588-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2905588\" data-cid=\"9816509\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905588-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_c14cf3ed-dd35-573b-b987-5bd80845270b-9816509.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    48 hours in Plovdiv, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906651-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906651\" data-cid=\"9822085\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906651-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/20\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_cef37381-6743-531d-bfa0-6049cf67b472-9822085.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The American Merops drone system, deployed by Poland and Romania to defend Russian drones, is tested in Nowa Deba, Poland, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO&#8217;s drone problem: Can European industry close the gap?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907184-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2907184\" data-cid=\"9825051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907184-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/50\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_33c0f24d-b6e8-5bcc-a47a-691872448f27-9825051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates react after Cape Verde&apos;s Diney Borges (3) scored an own goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Miami Gardens.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Argentina survive major World Cup scare as Egypt edge past Australia\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906711-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2906711\" data-cid=\"9822500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906711-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/25\/00\/189x106_cmsv2_d88f815a-658c-5fd4-9a4e-c7e57f1422bc-9822500.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Meet My Mama: spicing up French gastronomy\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Food and Drink<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Meet My Mama: how home cooks turned chefs spice up French gastronomy\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905588-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2905588\" data-cid=\"9816509\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905588-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/65\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_c14cf3ed-dd35-573b-b987-5bd80845270b-9816509.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    48 hours in Plovdiv, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Venezuela<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Venezuela&#8217;s interim leader defends earthquake response as death toll tops 2,500<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/37\/94\/1536x864_cmsv2_cb8061cf-45c5-58ed-b427-86cff5d6eac2-9823794.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"SOS is seen on collapsed buildings following the twin earthquakes in Caraballeda in the state of La Guaira, 2 July, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              SOS is seen on collapsed buildings following the twin earthquakes in Caraballeda in the state of La Guaira, 2 July, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP copyright<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP copyright\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspSertac Aktan\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1783073828\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-07-03 12:17:08 +02:00\">03\/07\/2026 &#8211; 12:17 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"16:05\">16:05<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Delcy Rodr\u00edguez has hit back at criticism over her government\u2019s response to the quakes, rejecting accusations of slow rescue efforts and claims that official casualty figures have been under-reported.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Venezuela&#8217;s acting president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, has defended her government&#8217;s response to the two devastating 24 June earthquakes. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Facing intense criticism over an allegedly slow and haphazard relief effort, Rodr\u00edguez pushed back against claims that the official death toll is being under-reported and rejected accusations that poor social housing construction had exacerbated the disaster.<\/p>\n<p>The dual 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes levelled nearly 200 buildings across Caracas and the hardest-hit northern coastal state of La Guaira, though satellite data suggests the true extent of destruction could be much higher. <\/p>\n<p>The official death toll stands at more than 2,500, but rescue teams on the ground say it will continue to rise in the coming days, as thousands of people remain missing.<\/p>\n<p>The government has not directly revealed how many people are reported missing, but an opposition website has logged over 38,000 cases. Reports of the United Nations allegedly preparing to send 10,000 body bags to Caracas have also fuelled doubts that the government is deliberately under-reporting deaths.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/37\/94\/808x539_cmsv2_945f4d56-918f-592d-a164-ba4e6bca9db9-9823794.jpg\" alt=\"Venezuela&apos;s acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez speaks during a press conference in Caracas, 2 July, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Venezuela&#8217;s acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez speaks during a press conference in Caracas, 2 July, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>At a Caracas press conference on Thursday, Rodr\u00edguez wore a black mourning ribbon but firmly rejected claims that survivors were left to dig through rubble with their bare hands during the critical first 48 hours.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We did not wait one day, two days or three days. We activated immediately,&#8221; Rodr\u00edguez said, accusing the media of weaponising the tragedy.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing the collapse of several signature social housing projects built under former President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez, Rodr\u00edguez said that 80% of the destroyed buildings were privately developed, without providing evidence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">&#8216;Major health crisis looming over Venezuela,&#8217; EU Civil Protection expert warns<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Venezuelan security guard pulled alive from basement eight days after twin quakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The disaster serves as a critical test for Rodr\u00edguez, whose 180-day interim mandate, granted after the US removed former President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January, was set to expire on Friday, leaving her political future unclear.<\/p>\n<p>Rodr\u00edguez has welcomed international aid. She specifically thanked US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support, as well as nations like Ecuador and Israel.<\/p>\n<h2>Search operations shift to body recovery<\/h2>\n<p>By Friday, the ninth day of operations, the search for survivors drew to a close as teams from 27 countries faced an oppressive heatwave and dwindling odds past the critical 72-hour window. <\/p>\n<p>A final bright spot occurred on Thursday when rescuers successfully extracted 43-year-old security guard Hern\u00e1n Alberto Gil Flores, who survived eight days in an air pocket beneath a collapsed seven-story mall in Catia La Mar.<\/p>\n<p>However, subsequent sweeps using search dogs and sensitive audio sensors yielded no further signs of life, forcing international teams to call off rescue operations. The focus has now largely shifted to recovering bodies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.667\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/37\/94\/808x539_cmsv2_1fe4a02c-6dcf-5b64-8f6a-86ab087ad55e-9823794.jpg\" alt=\"Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble of buildings damaged in the earthquakes that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble of buildings damaged in the earthquakes that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Thursday, July 2, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Mass graves<\/h2>\n<p>The sheer volume of casualties has overwhelmed local infrastructure. Forensic technicians say some bodies are unrecognisable, forcing families to rely on tattoos or clothing for identification.<\/p>\n<p>Storage facilities have also run out of space. In the city of La Guaira, over 200 bodies were left in a sweltering hospital parking lot before being moved to a makeshift morgue at the local seaport, where private firms donated refrigerated shipping containers. Forensic staff estimate it could take up to three months to collect all the victims, warning that mass graves will be necessary.<\/p>\n<p>Grieving families also face severe financial barriers, with private funeral homes charging up to $450 for services. While some families have received free cemetery plots from local mayoral offices, others are using lime to slow decomposition while waiting for state assistance or choosing cremation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP, AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Venezuelan security guard pulled alive from basement eight days after twin quakes<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Venezuela&#8217;s death toll at least 2,295 as medical crisis widens<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Venezuela&#8217;s interim leader defends earthquake response as death toll tops 2,500<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World News<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Death<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Venezuela<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Earthquake<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907091-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907091\" data-cid=\"9824588\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907091-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/45\/88\/320x180_cmsv2_fea58083-cdee-5c74-8a68-0dfe86206da0-9824588.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO to reaffirm iron-clad commitment to Article 5 at Ankara summit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2907184-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907184\" data-cid=\"9825051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907184-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/50\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_33c0f24d-b6e8-5bcc-a47a-691872448f27-9825051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates react after Cape Verde&apos;s Diney Borges (3) scored an own goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Miami Gardens.\" height=\"9\" 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907091-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907091\" data-cid=\"9824588\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907091-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) and his teammates react after Cape Verde&apos;s Diney Borges (3) scored an own goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Miami Gardens.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Argentina survive major World Cup scare as Egypt edge past Australia<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907135-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907135\" data-cid=\"9824864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907135-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/48\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_5bbb4dac-8af4-5152-81e2-721394edd376-9824864.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Portugal&apos;s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup round-of-32 match against Croatia in Toronto, 2 July 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did he say Bismillah? 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How worried should Europe be?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907121-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2907121\" data-cid=\"9824776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907121-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/47\/76\/320x180_cmsv2_aad53f8a-59c7-53c6-b7e8-a4992f22f0a9-9824776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A ring designed for US President Donald Trump and crafted by Antwerp diamond designer David Gotlib, 30 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgian diamond group that won tariff relief gifts Trump ring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906338-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906338\" data-cid=\"9820430\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Nine of the top 10 strongest passports globally are European<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906885-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906885\" data-cid=\"9823468\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump says &#8216;ridiculous&#8217; for US to maintain current support for NATO<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906619-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906619\" data-cid=\"9822187\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s Merz announces sweeping reforms in key breakthrough<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906947-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906947\" data-cid=\"9823728\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spanish goalkeeper Unai Sim\u00f3n sets new Guinness World Record<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906634-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2906634\" data-cid=\"9821982\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    OmnesViae: the Roman Empire\u2019s Google Maps you can use today<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Venezuela&#8217;s acting president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, has defended her government&#8217;s response to the two devastating 24 June earthquakes.Facing intense criticism over an allegedly slow and haphazard relief effort, Rodr\u00edguez pushed back against claims that the official death toll is being under-reported and rejected accusations that poor social housing construction had exacerbated the disaster.The dual 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes levelled nearly 200 buildings across Caracas and the hardest-hit northern coastal state of La Guaira, though satellite data suggests the true extent of destruction could be much higher.The official death toll stands at more than 2,500, but rescue teams on the ground say it will continue to rise in the coming days, as thousands of people remain missing.The government has not directly revealed how many people are reported missing, but an opposition website has logged over 38,000 cases. Reports of the United Nations allegedly preparing to send 10,000 body bags to Caracas have also fuelled doubts that the government is deliberately under-reporting deaths.At a Caracas press conference on Thursday, Rodr\u00edguez wore a black mourning ribbon but firmly rejected claims that survivors were left to dig through rubble with their bare hands during the critical first 48 hours.&#8221;We did not wait one day, two days or three days. We activated immediately,&#8221; Rodr\u00edguez said, accusing the media of weaponising the tragedy.Addressing the collapse of several signature social housing projects built under former President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez, Rodr\u00edguez said that 80% of the destroyed buildings were privately developed, without providing evidence.The disaster serves as a critical test for Rodr\u00edguez, whose 180-day interim mandate, granted after the US removed former President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January, was set to expire on Friday, leaving her political future unclear.Rodr\u00edguez has welcomed international aid. She specifically thanked US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support, as well as nations like Ecuador and Israel.Search operations shift to body recoveryBy Friday, the ninth day of operations, the search for survivors drew to a close as teams from 27 countries faced an oppressive heatwave and dwindling odds past the critical 72-hour window.A final bright spot occurred on Thursday when rescuers successfully extracted 43-year-old security guard Hern\u00e1n Alberto Gil Flores, who survived eight days in an air pocket beneath a collapsed seven-story mall in Catia La Mar.However, subsequent sweeps using search dogs and sensitive audio sensors yielded no further signs of life, forcing international teams to call off rescue operations. The focus has now largely shifted to recovering bodies.Mass gravesThe sheer volume of casualties has overwhelmed local infrastructure. Forensic technicians say some bodies are unrecognisable, forcing families to rely on tattoos or clothing for identification.Storage facilities have also run out of space. In the city of La Guaira, over 200 bodies were left in a sweltering hospital parking lot before being moved to a makeshift morgue at the local seaport, where private firms donated refrigerated shipping containers. Forensic staff estimate it could take up to three months to collect all the victims, warning that mass graves will be necessary.Grieving families also face severe financial barriers, with private funeral homes charging up to $450 for services. While some families have received free cemetery plots from local mayoral offices, others are using lime to slow decomposition while waiting for state assistance or choosing cremation.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/07\/03\/venezuelas-interim-leader-defends-earthquake-response-as-death-toll-tops-2500&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/37\/94\/1200x675_cmsv2_cb8061cf-45c5-58ed-b427-86cff5d6eac2-9823794.jpg&#8221;] Europe News NATO&#8217;s drone problem: Can European industry close the gap? 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