This past Saturday, a 69-year-old Venezuelan woman named Marlene Angulo was pulled alive from the rubble by a Salvadoran rescue team. She had been trapped since the devastating earthquakes struck La Guaira state in northern Venezuela on June 24.
The successful rescue was announced by El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, on his social media account. In a touching detail that resonated with many, he shared that upon her rescue, Marlene requested a Coca-Cola. "Our doctors informed her that intravenous hydration was crucial for her stabilization at that moment," Bukele wrote.
Approximately 90 minutes before the rescue, President Bukele informed the public that Marlene had been located alive but noted the challenges in accessing her location. "It's a difficult access, but with God's help, we will succeed," he stated in his initial message.
Salvadoran Team's Remarkable Efforts
In a video accompanying the announcement, a Salvadoran rescuer is seen introducing himself to Marlene: "We are from the OHR of El Salvador. We're here to help you. How are you feeling? Stay calm, you will be with us very soon."
This marks the third successful rescue by the Salvadoran team since their deployment to Venezuela. Earlier rescues included Nayarit Colmenares, a 39-year-old woman trapped for over 48 hours on the sixth floor of a collapsed building, and Camila Sofía Medina Rivas, a 15-year-old found on the ninth floor of Bahía Mar building alongside her dog, Chanel.
International Response to a Historic Catastrophe
El Salvador has dispatched six aircraft carrying 300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 150 tons of equipment and supplies, constituting one of the largest humanitarian missions in the country's history.
Marlene Angulo's rescue comes amid a disaster of unprecedented scale. The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have resulted in at least 1,430 deaths, over 3,328 injuries, and around 50,000 people missing as of Saturday's end.
According to the United Nations, 6.76 million individuals have been impacted by the seismic events. In the severely affected La Guaira area, 250 buildings collapsed, including the José María Vargas Hospital, and the Maiquetía International Airport was left inoperable.
Rescue efforts have been further hindered by more than 300 aftershocks, including a new 4.8 magnitude quake recorded on the same Saturday.
Global Aid Mobilization
Over 1,000 rescue workers from 16 nations are participating in the operations, with teams from the United States, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Qatar, and the Dominican Republic contributing to the efforts.
The United States has pledged $150 million in humanitarian aid and deployed nearly 160 urban rescue experts.
Bukele concluded his announcement of Marlene Angulo's rescue with a hopeful message: "With God's help, may we save more lives. Strength to Venezuela."
Key Questions on Venezuela’s Earthquake Crisis
How many people have been affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The United Nations estimates that 6.76 million people have been affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela.
What is the scale of international assistance for the earthquake relief efforts?
Over 1,000 rescue workers from 16 countries, including the United States, have joined the relief efforts. The U.S. has committed $150 million in humanitarian aid and sent close to 160 rescue experts.