Hero of Venezuela medal for 6,000 rescuers at Maiquetía; El Nacional reports 5,119 earthquake deaths

Acting president Delcy Rodríguez on Saturday decorated more than 6,000 rescuers and canine units at Maiquetía, La Guaira, with the Hero of Venezuela medal for their work after the June 24 earthquakes, according to VTV. El Nacional reported 5,119 dead, 16,740 injured, 6,462 rescued and 21,470 people in 107 camps.

On Friday, VTV showed Rodríguez and Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and head of the temporary camps, at the Carlos Delgado Chalbaud camp, which houses 146 families. From the opposition, Daniel Lara Farías complained that no fire department official has explained to people how to prepare for another earthquake.

«It is the loving, caring embrace that the National Executive extends to these families in this camp.»— VTV, July 17, 2026 · watch