Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes have exposed more than shattered buildings. They have laid bare the weakness of a government struggling to respond, raised fresh questions over Washington's role in the country, and fuelled speculation that a political reckoning could follow the humanitarian crisis.

The disaster itself may have been unavoidable. The response now faces far harsher scrutiny.

Rescue Delays Deepen Public Anger

Major earthquakes strike Venezuela only rarely, making it difficult to justify constant preparation for such an event. But once the ground stopped shaking, expectations shifted rapidly from prevention to emergency response.

Reports from affected areas suggest ambulances arrived, but specialist rescue teams and heavy equipment were often missing. As the critical first 72 hours passed, hopes of finding survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings faded, leaving grieving families questioning the state's response.

Washington's Promises Face Tough Test

The United States pledged $50 million for relief and reconstruction, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio promising aid that would be "big", "fast" and "effective". Yet much of the early international response reportedly came from non-American teams.

The absence of the former USAID rapid-response capability has also drawn attention. The agency, once central to US humanitarian operations, was dismantled during President Donald Trump's administration, leaving critics questioning whether Washington can deliver on its commitments.

Oil Wealth and Accountability Under Scrutiny

Questions are also growing over Venezuela's oil revenues following US control of the country's energy sector. Critics argue that greater transparency is needed over how proceeds are managed and how much ultimately reaches ordinary Venezuelans during a national emergency.

For many citizens already struggling with years of economic hardship, the contrast between the country's natural wealth and the scale of the humanitarian crisis is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Disaster Could Reshape the Political Landscape

Six months after the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro and the emergence of an uneasy arrangement between Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and Washington, the earthquake has placed that political settlement under fresh strain.

If public anger over the response continues to grow, pressure on the government could intensify. Whether that develops into sustained political opposition remains uncertain, but the disaster has created a moment that could reshape Venezuela's future long after the rescue effort ends.

Bangkok Post - Venezuela: Things could change

Anger is boiling over in Venezuela as devastated families accuse the government of failing to act quickly enough after twin earthquakes killed at least 1,700 people. Heartbreaking scenes continue to unfold in the coastal town of La Guaira, where desperate relatives still cling to hope that loved ones buried beneath collapsed buildings might somehow be found alive.

Every few minutes, rescuers shout "Silencio!" and raise their fists, bringing roads, machinery and crowds to an instant standstill. Engines fall quiet. Conversations stop. Rescue workers press their ears to freshly drilled holes in shattered concrete, listening for even the faintest cry from survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

One of the biggest rescue operations is focused on a 12-storey apartment building that collapsed beside a busy road in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by last Wednesday's earthquakes. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has described the disaster as the "most brutal natural catastrophe" in Venezuela's history.

Among those anxiously waiting nearby is Miguel Oscar Nunez, whose 34-year-old son Angel lived inside the building. Every pause in the rescue effort raises hopes that someone may still be alive, only for crushing disappointment to follow when silence is all rescuers hear.

Miguel Oscar says more help is needed from authorities

Miguel believes time has been wasted. He fears his son may not have died in the earthquake itself but could instead lose his life because rescue efforts did not begin quickly enough.

"My son, like hundreds of others, is trapped under the rubble," he says. "We need more support from authorities urgently to dig them out. It's possible the earthquake has not killed him, but can you imagine if he is killed because of the negligence of the authorities?"

Kevin Montilla shares the same frustration. While he was at work when the earthquake struck, his wife Luzmary and their 16-year-old daughter Jhoerliyzmar were inside the building.

Kevin Montilla called the government's response "frustrating and impotent"

He says neighbours rushed in to help immediately, but official assistance lagged behind. According to Kevin, local residents led the initial rescue efforts while police officers only inspected the scene without joining the operation.

"The rescue operation started very late and it's been slow," he says. "Initially it was only people who live in the community who came in to help. The police just came to check, but they didn't help. The government's response has been frustrating and impotent."

When rescue teams from Venezuela and Colombia eventually arrived, they brought heavy equipment including cranes and diggers. But grieving families say precious days had already been lost.

The frustration stretches far beyond one building. In several parts of La Guaira state, residents say search teams have still not reached devastated neighbourhoods.

At a hospital, single mother Deilisbeth Herreira searched desperately through lists of the injured and dead, hoping to find news of her daughters, 12-year-old Greydelys and 13-year-old Graybelys. She was working when the earthquake struck and believes the girls were most likely at home.

"I have help from no one," she says through tears. "No machines or rescuers have been sent to dig through the rubble. It's like you've been left on your own to find your loved ones."

Elsewhere, volunteers armed with little more than crowbars, shovels and rubber gloves continue digging through the collapsed Bello Horizonte apartment complex. William Rodrigues says the smell is overwhelming but insists they cannot stop searching while there is still hope someone could be alive beneath the wreckage.

William Rodrigues is searching for his uncle

Across the road, Juan Avendo recalls hearing trapped residents screaming beneath the rubble. Together with relatives, he says they clawed through debris with their bare hands before eventually rescuing one woman alive after first passing her a bottle of water.

Enyer Musics (left) and his uncle Juan Avendo rescued a woman they heard screaming from under rubble

Official Venezuelan firefighters did not arrive until Friday, almost two days after the earthquake. Rescue teams from El Salvador and the United States later joined the effort before operations were called off on Sunday after several more survivors were found.

Many residents now fear countless victims remain buried beneath the ruins. Juan believes hundreds may still lie under the debris, and warns the true scale of Venezuela's deadliest natural disaster may never be fully known.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yzd18dxzxo