Venezuela continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, resulting in at least 3,500 deaths and injuring approximately 14,000 others, according to official figures released on July 6. The seismic events have also left nearly 18,000 people homeless, with the toll expected to rise as rescue and recovery efforts proceed.

The country’s ability to respond to this crisis has been severely hampered by the ongoing economic and political instability under the socialist government in Caracas. Years of economic decline, coupled with the erosion of the private construction industry, have left Venezuela’s infrastructure vulnerable. Many of the communities most severely affected were part of the government’s “grand housing mission,” a project initiated during Hugo Chávez’s presidency and expanded under Nicolás Maduro, which reportedly built around 4 million homes. However, experts and critics say the number is likely overstated, and that many of the homes were erected rapidly under political pressure, often with poor construction standards. These shortcomings have contributed to the high death toll following the earthquakes.

The government’s management of the disaster response has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed the interim presidency after Maduro’s arrest earlier this year, has been at the center of controversy. Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, has faced challenges in coordinating effective rescue operations amid a decimated public health system struggling to provide care for thousands of injured people. Many affected families have been left to search for missing relatives amidst the rubble without sufficient government support.

Additionally, the government has been accused of obstructing humanitarian efforts. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello was seen confronting a U.S.-based rescue team from Fairfax, Virginia, as authorities restricted the access of international volunteers and private aid organizations. The administration has also reportedly hindered the efforts of opposition groups to mobilize assistance, including blocking the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Machado’s efforts have also been complicated by the United States, which has discouraged her return in favor of maintaining stability and advancing American oil interests in Venezuela, despite her calls for new elections.

While Rodríguez has implemented some limited reforms and expressed openness to foreign investment, oil companies remain cautious about committing to large-scale projects amid ongoing political uncertainty and concerns about asset expropriation. Rodríguez’s interim mandate expired shortly after six months in office, raising questions about the political future of the country.

Observers suggest that a comprehensive and transparent electoral process is crucial to addressing Venezuela’s deepening crises. Many argue that the best way for Washington to support the Venezuelan people—and protect U.S. strategic interests—is to pressure the regime to schedule free and fair elections, alongside a robust humanitarian response to the current disaster.