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A view of Caraballeda in La Guaira State, Venezuela, on the 29th (local time). / Courtesy of AP and Yonhap News Agency

While the death toll from the successive strong earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela rose to 1,719, as rescue and relief operations focus only on specific regions, anger among residents who have not received support is heightening, Reuters reported on the 29th (local time).

The relief capacities of the Venezuelan government and the international community are concentrated on La Guaira State, the maximum damage region. The government authorities are deploying 3,600 rescue personnel dispatched from 30 countries centering on La Guaira and responding by establishing 15 shelters and 50 temporary camps.

On the other hand, pointing out comes out that outlying and mountainous regions separated from the center have been alienated from government support.

In the case of El Junquito, a mountainous resort area located approximately 33 km west of the capital Caracas, most of the commercial area was destroyed and a multitude of displaced people occurred, but even up to this day, the 5th day since the earthquake outbreak, there is no government support, Reuters reported. Residents of this region are procuring daily necessities and continuing recovery on their own.

Keily Ibarra, a representative of the displaced people in El Junquito, urged an immediate response from authorities, stating, "We are waiting for the government's answer, debris clearing, and safety inspections."

A resident who lost home and workplace due to the earthquake appealed anxiety, stating, "We received no guidance from the government regarding future relocation measures or the temporary living period."

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez highly evaluated the calmness and strength of Venezuelan citizens, explaining that the cause of anger toward the government stems from misinformation.

He emphasized, "Do not listen to rumors, and do not be swayed by social media manipulation strategies or media distortions trying to foment anxiety," adding, "Only official information is the truth that can be shared with you."

                                                                                                          Lee Jeong-eun