The rescue of an 11-year-old boy from the rubble in Caraballeda, Venezuela, has moved the world — three days after the deadly earthquakes that devastated the country. The child, named Moisés, was found trapped beneath the debris and rescued after a hours-long operation by emergency response teams. In a video shared by Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, rescuers can be seen carrying the 11-year-old on a stretcher, following the nightmare he endured for more than 70 hours. “A few minutes ago, an 11-year-old boy was rescued alive in Caraballeda. In these hours, every life is a source of hope for Venezuela,” Rodríguez wrote in her post on X, accompanied by footage of the rescue operation.
Hace pocos minutos fue rescatado con vida un niño de 11 años en Caraballeda. En estas horas cada vida es esperanza para Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Pjj5ETaaYe
— Delcy Rodríguez (@delcyrodriguezv) June 28, 2026
Among those involved in the rescue were members of the specialized USAR Colombia 1 team, as well as firefighters from Bogotá, Colombia, who had deployed to Venezuela to assist in search and rescue operations.
The mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán, called it “good news in the midst of tragedy,” revealing that several of the city’s firefighters had taken part in the operation to free Moisés from the wreckage.
“I have faith that the Colombian team will keep finding people alive in La Guaira, Venezuela”
“I have faith that the Colombian team will keep finding people alive in La Guaira, Venezuela. They make us all proud. Thank you,” he wrote in his post. Search and rescue operations continue around the clock in the areas struck by the deadly earthquakes, with authorities expressing hope that, despite the passage of days, survivors may still be found beneath the rubble.
Buenas noticias en medio de esta tragedia.
Varios uniformados de @BomberosBogota participaron, junto al resto del equipo USAR Colombia 1, en el rescate de Moisés, un niño de 11 años que estaba atrapado entre los escombros y fue encontrado con vida.
Tengo fe en que el equipo… pic.twitter.com/kBTBp7nlov
— Carlos F. Galán (@CarlosFGalan) June 27, 2026
According to the latest official toll, at least 1,430 people have been killed and 3,238 injured by the powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude — that struck Venezuela within seconds of each other on Wednesday. Fears are mounting that the death toll could rise dramatically, as the fate of more than 50,000 people remains unknown.
Damage from the double earthquake is estimated at roughly 6% of the country’s GDP
The damage caused by the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on Wednesday is estimated at approximately seven billion dollars — equivalent to roughly 6% of the country’s GDP — according to a preliminary assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), announced today.
This initial UNDP assessment, conducted in the hours following the catastrophic earthquakes, is based primarily on satellite imagery and demographic data.
The UNDP clarifies that its estimate “does not include damage to infrastructure, the overall economic impact, or the long-term costs of reconstruction,” and notes that the total impact is generally up to three times greater.
