Diosdado Cabello, Minister of Interior, Justice, and Peace of the Chavista regime, warned this Friday about the risk of a public health crisis in the state of La Guaira due to the presence of decomposing bodies under the rubble, on the third day following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
In statements gathered by Monitoreamos on social media, Cabello announced a complete restriction on access to the state starting at 8:00 p.m. this Friday, justifying the measure for humanitarian, logistical, and sanitary reasons.
"Today is already the 26th, and if it could happen, it is not happening, but a public health issue could arise. Because remember, we have people alive beneath the rubble, but we also unfortunately have deceased individuals. This must be addressed," the official stated.
The restriction means that anyone wishing to enter La Guaira must first register at the Poliedro de Caracas, designated as the accreditation center by the instruction of the acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
"Anyone wishing to come to the Estado de La Guaira must adhere to the established protocols in accordance with the guidelines set by our President. They need to register there at the poliedro," Cabello emphasized.
The official also noted that the uncontrolled influx of volunteers and onlookers was hindering rescue efforts and putting human lives at risk.
“The local residents have expressed that there are many people who hinder mobility. They somehow obstruct the rescues. When a siren sounds, it brings an injured person. And if that person is in that car and is stuck in traffic, the risks to their life increase,” he warned.
The official toll from the earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24 has risen to 920 dead, according to figures announced by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, with more than 3,360 injured, 157 officially missing, and at least 200 people still trapped under the rubble.
The actual figures could be much higher. The UN estimates up to 50,000 missing and calculates that 6.76 million people were affected by the earthquakes.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a Red Alert and estimates with a 42% probability that the final number of victims could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
In La Guaira, more than 250 buildings have collapsed, the José María Vargas Hospital was destroyed, and the Maiquetía International Airport remains closed due to severe damage to its infrastructure. Rescue teams from 16 countries are working among the rubble, while over 200 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes.
Cabello asked the media to disseminate the restriction to prevent people from arriving at the checkpoints without having registered beforehand.
"I ask the various media outlets to notify this so that people are aware and do not come to where they will be detained, only to be told that access is restricted. They must first go to the Poliedro de Caracas to register."
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