LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — The death toll from a pair of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has surged to 1,430, as rescue efforts continue amid growing frustration and anguish in the worst-affected state of La Guaira. The government reported that nearly 69,000 people remained missing three days after the successive quakes, which registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

Rescue teams and civilians have been combing through rubble in search of survivors, using shovels, heavy machinery, ropes, and bare hands amid piles of collapsed concrete. International rescue contingents from countries including Mexico, the United States, Brazil, El Salvador, and France have joined the efforts, providing some hope to those awaiting news of loved ones.

Despite the massive mobilization, tensions escalated over perceptions of an insufficient government response. Many residents criticized security forces—comprising soldiers, firefighters, police, and military cadets—for appearing unprepared for the scale of the disaster. Some accused officials of prioritizing image over action, citing instances where government personnel were seen taking selfies at destruction sites rather than assisting with rescue operations.

“There’s a pile of bodies over there from last night. Newborn babies,” said Mileidy Romero, a resident assisting in search efforts in the coastal town of Caraballeada. “At 8 p.m. [Friday], there were people alive down there, and they haven’t bothered to rescue them.”

Venezuelan authorities consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a quake crucial for extracting survivors, though this window can extend if trapped individuals have access to food and water. By Saturday, flights carrying over 1,600 rescue workers had landed in the country, and government officials stated that more than 14,000 military and police personnel were patrolling the area. However, many in affected communities reported limited visible government presence, with access to some zones controlled by permits.

Scenes of distress and despair were widespread. People called out names atop unstable ruins, and in the intense heat, the odor of decomposition intensified, prompting many to wear masks. In some locations, bodies were unloaded from vehicles onto the ground at a hospital parking lot for identification. Due to a shortage of protective gear, some rescuers improvised with motorcycle helmets.

Frustrated by slow official action, some civilians confronted equipment operators, at times preventing excavators from leaving collapse sites. Eyewitnesses like Yeison Marcano described limited assistance from police and the National Guard, remarking that security forces seemed more focused on appearances than rescue work.

The disaster struck just days after the capture and removal of former President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military intervention, putting additional pressure on Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Facing economic turmoil that has gripped Venezuela for over a decade, Rodríguez’s government contends with widespread skepticism and political divisions as it manages the crisis.

The damage was exacerbated by the near-simultaneous, shallow nature of the quakes, followed by aftershocks, including a 4.8 magnitude tremor on Saturday affecting Caracas and surrounding areas. The International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.76 million people, including about 2 million in the capital, could be impacted.

Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas sustained significant damage, with only one runway currently operational. U.S. teams are working to restore this vital entry point to facilitate the flow of aid and personnel.

Survivors and rescuers alike cling to hope as international teams intensify their search efforts. “It doesn’t matter who it is, whoever, whether it’s family or somebody else. If there is anyone alive, let’s get them out,” said Yonahí Regalado, who has been calling out for family members since the early hours after the quake. Helicopters continue to circle overhead as the search for survivors presses on.