29/06/2026 03:17 - Internacionales
According to reports from La Nación, one of Argentina's leading newspapers, the Argentine government has activated search protocols to locate three Argentine citizens who were in Venezuela when the earthquakes struck and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The search takes place amid a massive humanitarian operation where more than 2,741 rescuers from 24 countries are working tirelessly in search and rescue efforts. For context, this is one of the largest international rescue deployments in recent Latin American history.
Argentina responded rapidly to the emergency by sending a contingent of 26 specialized military personnel, canine units, medical teams, 2 water purification plants, 134 tents, and 48 kitchen kits. For readers unfamiliar with Argentine disaster response, the country has developed significant expertise in humanitarian missions, having deployed to earthquakes in Haiti (2010) and Mexico (2017).
The contingent departed from Ezeiza International Airport (Buenos Aires' main international airport) on the night of June 26, 2026, with an emotional send-off marked by applause from family members and colleagues. They arrived in Caracas on June 27 at 2:30 AM and immediately deployed to Caraballeda, in the state of La Guaira, a coastal region about 60 kilometers west of Caracas that suffered the brunt of the destruction.
Despite the time elapsed since the earthquakes, rescue teams continue to find survivors, providing hope for families of the missing:
Father and Son
Rescued by French and U.S. teams in Caraballeda after spending 4 days under the rubble.
Mother and 9-month-old Baby
Rescued by the USA-01 brigade from the United States.
Moisés, 11 Years Old
Rescued by a Colombian team after 6 hours of work under 3 meters of debris.
60-Year-Old Woman
Rescued after being trapped for 86 hours. Also an 18-day-old baby and mother rescued after 32 hours.
Among the Argentine rescuers is Micaela López Fariña, a volunteer firefighter from El Peligro (a town near La Plata, about 60 kilometers southeast of Buenos Aires) and member of the Brigada PUMA USAR ARG 13. The brigade is Argentina's specialized urban search and rescue team, trained for international disaster response.
Her departure from Ezeiza was celebrated with applause by family and colleagues, demonstrating the commitment and solidarity that characterizes Argentina's response to international tragedies.
Pope Leo XIV donated 100,000 euros in humanitarian aid. Cáritas Española (the Spanish Catholic charity) mobilized 300,000 euros. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference called for a National Day of Prayer on June 28, 2026.
Source: La Nación | Date: June 28, 2026
Alfredo S. Quiroga
