Caracas .- The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, said this Friday that she spoke with the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, about support for the Caribbean country after two devastating earthquakes left more than 4,118 dead and at least 16,740 injured, as well as some 17,900 people homeless.
Rodríguez, who was inspecting recovery work at a building in Caracas, reported contact this Friday morning with the Brazilian leader, who, according to the official, is “very attentive” to the families of the deceased and those who lost their homes.
“In general, he is very attentive and has expressed his solidarity. He told me: ‘President Delcy, whatever you need, pick up the phone and call me.’ I am grateful to the international community, to the governments of the world that have offered this helping hand to Venezuela,” said the Chavista leader, whose statements were broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
Brazil’s support for Venezuela
The official indicated that her Government has requested “international assistance and cooperation” for the reconstruction process of the affected areas and that at this moment foreign experts are in her country working with the Venezuelan authorities responsible for the recovery of infrastructure and housing.
On the other hand, Rodríguez called for more training in homes, schools, and communities regarding earthquakes, and noted that a “shallow” earthquake occurred today, referring to the 3.9 magnitude tremor that shook areas of northern Venezuela this Friday, with no reports of damage or casualties so far.
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Following the earthquakes on June 24, Lula expressed his “great concern and dismay,” as well as his “determination to support the government” of Rodríguez in the recovery of the affected areas.
Housing construction
On June 30th, Brazil’s Minister of Defense, José Múcio, visited Venezuela along with representatives from the financial institution Caixa Econômica Federal and the Ministry of Cities to expand humanitarian cooperation.
The high-ranking Brazilian official met with the Chavista leader to “advance in coordinated work for the prompt construction of housing for the affected families,” for which the Minister of Public Works, Juan José Ramírez, and the head of Habitat and Housing, Paola Posani, were also present, according to the state television station.
