The sources claimed that there was a lack of coordination and confusion during rescue operations
Venezuela’s military response to the devastating June 24 earthquakes has been slowed by delayed deployment orders, poor coordination among senior officials and shortages of basic equipment, according to multiple sources cited by Reuters.The sources, including active and retired military officers, diplomatic officials and people familiar with the armed forces, said the lack of a clear disaster response plan meant troops were not quickly mobilized during the crucial hours after the two earthquakes that struck the country’s coast.While Acting President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed that 4,000 personnel were deployed immediately. Witnesses and sources said that civilians carried out most of the initial rescue work before the arrival of international teams, firefighters and a limited number of soldiers.Confusion over the chain of command delayed operations, with responsibility divided among several officials. Some military units were reportedly ready to deploy but never received orders, while others lacked transport, helicopters and even basic rescue tools.An active-duty officer told Reuters: “We do not act alone, but receive direct orders.” “We had no plan…there was no plan to deal with something like this.”
The officer said that troops from his unit were sent to La Guaira just one day after the earthquakes, after finally receiving orders. “We were not leaving without preparations or logistics because obviously no one is prepared for something like this,” the officer said. He added: “The forces in Caracas should at least have been sent to provide security and assistance as much as possible.”One official said the Marine brigade was prepared to deploy but had never received instructions, while another said their unit lacked enough vehicles to transport personnel.
Three other sources cited equipment shortages, including hammers, shovels and helicopters equipped with night vision capabilities.A diplomatic source also claimed that the delay in allocating search sectors to international rescue teams during the first 48 hours wasted crucial time.“There was no plan, the chain of command was weak, and many people simply did not know what to do,” the source said.Four sources also blamed the overlap of powers between National Guard Commander Juan Solbaran Quintero, who was appointed to oversee the response, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, for creating confusion over who is directing military and police operations.Several sources told Reuters that years of economic crisis have eroded the military’s operational readiness, with limited budgets affecting maintenance, transportation and emergency response capabilities. One source also said the quakes occurred on Army Day, when many personnel were off duty, and no immediate call-up order was issued.The June 24 quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, killed more than 5,000 people, according to the government, although the US Geological Survey estimated the final death toll could be nearly double that number.