Eduar Velázquez, a 24-year-old Venezuelan residing in Pereira, Colombia, has been tirelessly searching shelters and hospitals in La Guaira for over a week, seeking any news of his 28 relatives who vanished following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
During a video call with his family, Eduar witnessed firsthand the devastating impact as two earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and occurring just 39 seconds apart—shook the northern region of the country. He watched in horror as his mother frantically ran to protect Massimo, his four-month-old son. That was the last image he saw of them.
His mother, Estefanía, managed to send him a video showing debris and smoke just before communications were severed. Her accompanying message encapsulated the terror: "The building has collapsed, I don't know what else to do."
The family was attending a children's party at the Caribe residential complex in Caraballeda parish, one of the areas hardest hit by the quake. Three of the four buildings in the complex—each 12 stories high with a total of 416 apartments—crumbled. Among the missing are 12 children, including baby Massimo, and approximately 15 adults.
With the Maiquetía International Airport closed, Eduar embarked on an 819-kilometer overland journey from Pereira to Caracas on the day of the earthquake, navigating security checkpoints and fuel shortages, driven by a singular goal: to find his family "alive or dead."
Once in La Guaira, Eduar did not succumb to despair; instead, he joined rescue efforts alongside other volunteers. In the initial two days, he successfully rescued nine individuals from the rubble.
"I've been here for a week, and it's been incredibly difficult, but those first two days we saved quite a few lives—nine people, thanks to me—and that's what kept me going," Eduar recounted in a video shared by EFE on Saturday. "If I haven't found my family yet, I'll keep rescuing others," he added.
His story highlights the transnational tragedy faced by the Venezuelan diaspora in the aftermath of the worst seismic disaster recorded in the country since 1900. Colombia is home to over 2.8 million Venezuelans, many of whom have lost or are searching for family members still in Venezuela.
Another heart-wrenching case that touched the region was that of Joarlys Rodríguez, a Venezuelan migrant in Chile, whose three children and mother were discovered embraced beneath the rubble in La Guaira.
The official toll at the end of this week reports at least 2,645 dead and 12,666 injured. The United Nations estimates that approximately 50,000 people remain missing due to the twin earthquakes, with material damages calculated at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
Eduar Velázquez remains in La Guaira. Each day without news prolongs his relentless search with the same resolve that allowed him to rescue nine strangers from the debris: "I want to find them alive or dead."
Frequently Asked Questions about the La Guaira Earthquake
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes in La Guaira?
The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and occurred just 39 seconds apart.
How many people are reported missing due to the earthquakes?
The United Nations estimates that approximately 50,000 people remain missing as a consequence of the earthquakes.
What challenges did Eduar face in his search for his family?
Eduar faced challenges such as closed airports, a long overland journey, security checkpoints, and fuel shortages, but he remained determined to find his family.