Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president has promised to save "as many people as possible," as the official deaths in the country have reached 920, with iver 3,000 injured and another 50,000 still missing.
Two earthquakes struck Caracas in Venezuala on Wednesday evening just 39 seconds apart. The stronger quake has a magnitude of 7.5, the strongest recorded in the Caracas area. The tremors flattened apartment blocks, hotels and many other buildings leaving people trapped beneath the rubble.
"We offer our solidarity to the families of the victims," Rodríguez said during a visit to the disaster zone. She confirmed that international search-and-rescue teams had begun arriving to assist overwhelmed local emergency services.
However, frustration has mounted over what many residents describe as a slow and inadequate government response.
During a visit to a devastated neighbourhood in Caracas, Rodríguez was met by angry crowds who accused the government of failing to act quickly enough.
"The government isn't doing anything for the people," residents shouted as rescue efforts continued nearby.
Across the disaster zone, relatives, neighbours and volunteers have resorted to digging through collapsed buildings by hand, saying heavy machinery and official rescue teams have been slow to arrive.
Rotny Bombart, a 33-year-old paramedic, spent hours searching for his mother inside the ruins of the 15-storey OPP 33 apartment block in La Guaira.
"It used to have 15 floors," he said. "Now there's nothing left."
Bombart described seeing dismembered bodies and children trapped beneath the debris.
"You're prepared for emergencies, but not for this. Nothing prepares you for this."
In Catia La Mar, Diego González and friends spent four hours digging his cousin from the remains of her apartment building.
"People are working with their bare hands," he said. "Tools are essential. Catia La Mar is destroyed."
Marjosly Salazar, whose 16-year-old daughter died in the earthquake, continues searching for her five-month-old grandson, Gael.
"Please, we need machinery to start lifting the columns," she pleaded. "We haven't seen any government officials here."
The United Nations said search-and-rescue teams from at least 17 countries have been mobilised.
Teams from Spain, Switzerland, Colombia, Mexico, Chile and El Salvador are already operating in affected areas, while Britain has deployed a 68-member search-and-rescue team, including six specialist rescue dogs and emergency medical personnel.
The UK has also pledged £2 million (€2.3 million) in humanitarian assistance.
The United States announced it was sending more than 250 disaster-response personnel, including three specialist urban search-and-rescue teams equipped with dogs trained to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
A senior U.S. military commander has arrived in Caracas to oversee the American relief operation.
Rodríguez said she had spoken directly with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed Washington's commitment to providing rescue workers, specialist equipment, temporary shelters and humanitarian aid.
