Quake crisis tests Venezuela's fragile leadership under Delcy Rodríguez

Twin earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24 caused heavy casualties and left tens of thousands missing, marking interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s first major crisis. Critics say the government’s response has been slow and uneven as international rescue teams arrive and civilians scramble to help, highlighting long-standing weaknesses in emergency services shaped by years of economic crisis and sanctions. The disaster could reshape public opinion and politics, complicating any view of Rodríguez’s leadership while aid money and rebuilding efforts become the focus of both domestic frustration and international assistance.