Looting deepens misery in Venezuela after deadly earthquakes

Communities struggling to recover from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes are now facing another crisis as widespread looting and theft spread through some of the worst affected areas.

Communities struggling to recover from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes are now facing another crisis as widespread looting and theft spread through some of the worst affected areas. Residents in the coastal state of La Guaira say the destruction caused by the disaster has been made even worse by criminal activity, with homes, shops and businesses being stripped of anything valuable while rescue efforts continue.

Large parts of La Guaira, located near the capital Caracas, were left in ruins after the powerful earthquakes struck on Wednesday. As emergency teams searched for survivors beneath collapsed buildings, many residents said thieves moved quickly to take advantage of the chaos. Businesses, pharmacies and supermarkets were reportedly looted within hours of the disaster, leaving communities that had already lost almost everything facing even greater hardship.

Videos shared on social media appeared to show groups of people carrying away household appliances and other goods from damaged stores. Other footage showed stolen items loaded onto cars and motorcycles. At the same time, allegations circulated online accusing some police officers and soldiers of taking valuables from abandoned homes and even from the bodies of earthquake victims. These claims have not been independently confirmed, but they have added to growing public anger.

Residents described heartbreaking scenes as people searched for missing family members while others focused on stealing whatever remained. Maria Esther Bernal, who owned several rental shops in the area, said every one of them had been looted. She explained that even electrical wiring had been removed from the damaged buildings. She also recalled seeing people taking goods from a supermarket despite the presence of a victim’s body inside the collapsed structure.

Many residents believe the increase in crime reflects both desperation and the country’s long running economic difficulties. Venezuela was already facing serious financial challenges before the earthquakes, and thousands of people have now lost their homes, jobs and possessions. Some argue that poverty has pushed people toward looting, while others see it as criminals exploiting a humanitarian disaster.

Public frustration has also grown over what many describe as a slow and inadequate government response. Families are demanding faster rescue operations as well as greater access to food, clean water, medicine and temporary shelter. In response, authorities have tightened security by deploying military personnel across La Guaira and limiting access to the area through a permit system.

Residents returning to damaged neighbourhoods say they have found little left to recover. Zulay de Carvajal said thieves had taken clothes, kitchen utensils and other personal belongings from her home. Her son Gregory described arriving to help remove bodies from the rubble while watching others steal property from nearby buildings. He said the situation quickly became chaotic as people rushed to take anything they could find.

Reports of other crimes have also emerged from affected communities. Some people have been accused of stealing fuel from abandoned vehicles, while others allegedly posed as firefighters to gain access to damaged homes. One widely shared video appeared to show a homeowner confronting security personnel he accused of searching his property for valuables rather than looking for survivors.

Human rights advocates noted that similar problems followed the deadly landslides that struck La Guaira in 1999. They warned that natural disasters often create conditions where crime, abuse of authority and looting increase unless strong oversight is maintained.

Despite the difficult circumstances, some efforts to rebuild have already begun. After one branch of the Farmatodo pharmacy chain was looted, local volunteers helped clean the damaged building so it could be turned into a temporary primary healthcare clinic, offering a small sign of hope for communities trying to recover from one of the country’s worst natural disasters.