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Venezuela said Saturday that 1,600 members of foreign rescue teams had arrived to help search for survivors after devastating twin earthquakes killed over 900 people this week, as authorities tightened access to the worst-affected state.
The government said rescue teams were working in La Guaira state and the capital, Caracas, after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes caused widespread damage.
Residents and volunteers in La Guaira, a popular destination for beachgoers, said at least 100 buildings, many of them residential high-rises, were destroyed or damaged. They have for days complained about shortages of heavy equipment and a limited official presence.
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in an overnight address on state television that 10 more countries were still expected to join rescue efforts.
She said 14,000 military and police personnel were in La Guaira to patrol and carry out sanitary measures.
"In recent hours, Venezuela has received 17 flights carrying more than 1,600 members of rescue teams, and over the next 24 hours, the arrival of 25 additional flights is expected," Foreign Ministry official Oliver Blanco said.
"We thank the international community for its support and solidarity during these moments of uncertainty for Venezuelans," Blanco said on X early Saturday.
Rescuers have been making their way to sites around La Guaira and Caracas, although some areas were still largely without an official presence Friday as families and neighbors struggled to find missing loved ones in the rubble, sometimes digging with their hands.
Officials closed the road between La Guaira and nearby Caracas on Friday evening, saying heavy traffic was preventing the quick passage of emergency vehicles and official rescuers.
Civilians who are not part of official rescue teams will need a credential to pass the roadblock. Reuters witnesses were prevented by police from using the main road Saturday morning, while an older secondary road was choked with traffic.
The government had previously thanked civilians who brought aid, often by motorcycle, to desperate residents. Venezuelan state television showed images of thousands of pairs of shoes, clothing, and other aid being collected by the government.
Although the government has said hundreds of people are missing or trapped, more than 54,000 people are listed as unaccounted for on a website promoted by the country's opposition.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that more than 10,000 deaths were possible from the quakes.
Nearly 7 million people could be affected, the U.N. said, estimating direct damage at about $6.7 billion.
Power remained out near the quakes' epicenter in Moron on Friday and was fully down in La Guaira, though it was being restored in other areas.
Rodriguez said 60% of electricity had been restored.
Venezuela's power grid, weakened by years of underinvestment and economic sanctions, regularly experiences problems, causing daily blackouts lasting hours in some regions.
The disaster could have consequences for Rodriguez, who has tried to portray herself as an agent of change even though she served as vice president to Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted and arrested by the U.S. in January.
Rodriguez spoke by phone with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday after meeting with the U.S. military's Northern Command and disaster experts.
The U.S. said it was mobilizing $150 million in aid and easing sanctions, while its military dispatched two ships and said helicopters and aircraft would support rescue efforts.
Among the rescue teams working in La Guaira is a team from El Salvador. President Nayib Bukele has praised several rescues on his X account, including that of a 15-year-old girl.
Looting has taken place at several sites in La Guaira, Reuters witnesses said.
Venezuela's oil production was not affected by the quakes, Oil Minister Paula Henao said Friday, adding that fuel distribution would be guaranteed.
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