CARACAS, Venezuela — In the wake of the twin earthquakes that struck La Guaira on June 24, a small group of family members and friends gathered early Saturday to resume the search for 18‑year‑old Andrés Molina. Antonella Molina, her nephew Pedro Molina, and about fifteen volunteers walked the rubble‑strewn streets, handing out flyers with Andrés’s photo and a phone number.
Hope amid uncertainty
Andrés, the son of a mother and brother whose bodies were recovered from a collapsed ten‑story apartment building, has not been seen since the disaster. Neighbors recall seeing him wandering the debris, sometimes collecting scrap metal, and even feeding stray cats – his favorite pastime. “There are a lot of things that give us hope,” Antonella said, adding that love is one of them.
Government response questioned
Official figures list roughly 6,500 dead and 1,500 missing, but many on the ground doubt those numbers. The family says they have received no assistance from authorities in locating the missing. “We’ve never had support from the government to help us find the people disappeared. Never,” Antonella said.
Grassroots effort continues
The volunteers have placed flyers at a nearby golf course, a park, a restaurant, and even a McDonald’s, receiving numerous tips that have not led to a confirmed sighting. Police reported a recent sighting of a young man collecting scrap near the golf course, which briefly revived optimism.
Family dynamics add complexity: Andrés’s parents have been estranged for years, yet his father remains part of the search effort. Pedro, who lives six hours away in Anzoátegui, maintains contact with his cousin via WhatsApp, hoping to reassure him that he is not alone.
Enduring determination
After a day of walking through collapsed walls and broken windows, the search concluded around 10 p.m. at a local McDonald’s, ending earlier than usual because Antonella injured her arm. “At the end of each search, I always feel anger, helplessness, pain, sadness, even despair,” she said. “But I have to continue until I find my nephew.”
The family’s perseverance underscores the broader struggle of thousands of Venezuelans still searching for loved ones amid a humanitarian crisis that has left many without reliable government assistance.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
