Venezuela’s military response to the recent earthquakes was slowed by delayed orders, confusion, and a lack of basic equipment, according to sources familiar with the response. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes killed about 5,000 people, with the government’s response drawing public outrage.

Delays and Confusion

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has defended the government’s response, but sources say that military personnel and police were scarcely visible during the first hours after the quake. Civilians led the initial response, bringing aid and using rudimentary tools to rescue those trapped in the rubble.

The limited presence of security forces was due to delays in deployment orders, uncertainty over who was responsible for coordinating the crisis, and a lack of relevant equipment. An active-duty officer said, ‘We don’t act on our own; we receive direct orders. I can’t tell my unit, ‘Let’s go help in La Guaira,’ if I haven’t been ordered to do so.’

Lack of Preparedness

The Venezuelan earthquakes struck on Army Day, a national holiday when many military personnel were off duty and away from their units. Sources say that years of economic crisis have reduced military readiness, with budgets focused on payroll rather than maintenance and equipment.

A source familiar with diplomatic circles said, ‘There was no plan and the chain of command was weak; many people simply didn’t know what to do.’ Delays in issuing orders also affected the deployment of international rescuers who had arrived within the first 48 hours, wasting critical time during which lives could have been saved.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.