Caracas.- The Venezuelan acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, awarded this Wednesday the Heroes of Venezuela medal in its second class to the rescue delegations from Italy and Switzerland that participated in the rescue efforts following the earthquakes a week ago, which caused at least 2,295 deaths and 11,267 injuries.
The president also decorated rescue dogs and delivered to the ambassadors of both countries letters of appreciation for the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and for the Swiss president, Guy Parmelin.
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“The grief that is in our hearts today turns into gratitude,” he expressed at the event, broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
The Chavista leader, who declared seven days of national mourning starting this Wednesday at 6:00 PM local time (22:00 GMT), announced that search and rescue efforts for survivors are continuing and expressed that “cooperation and friendship between peoples is possible.”
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Ciro Bolognese, leader of the Italian team, reiterated his condolences and said that his group tried to be in Venezuela “as soon as possible” and that they fought so that their “efforts were at least useful to maintain hope”.
“We will never forget this experience, (…) we will carry Venezuela in our hearts forever,” added Bolognese, according to a consecutive translation.
For his part, Sebastian Eugster, leader of the Swiss Rescue team, expressed his gratitude for the support and said that another group will arrive, so Switzerland “will maintain its presence” in the Latin American country.
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Also present at the event were the Venezuelan ministers of Interior, Diosdado Cabello; Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil; and Defense, Gustavo González, as well as the president of Parliament, Jorge Rodríguez, brother of the president.
The deployment of 3,000 international rescuers has made it possible to save twelve people alive who were trapped under the rubble after the double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24, the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team confirmed to EFE.
In its most recent report, the Venezuelan Executive indicated that some 6,461 people have been rescued.
