Police and military accused of looting. From Reuters: Citizens like Delgado - often just with shovels, ropes and their bare hands - have been trying to supplement what they describe as a slow and inadequate state response to the country's strongest tremors in a century. Among the challenges, they say, is thwarting efforts by some members of the Venezuelan military and police to block aid, co-opt donations and even loot from collapsed buildings.
One government employee stationed at a checkpoint in La Guaira on Sunday told Reuters they witnessed police officers and military personnel commandeer aid from three trucks carrying supplies, bragging about what they had managed to “score.” They also saw the officers recording videos of themselves with shovels supposedly helping rescue efforts before abruptly leaving the scene, the person, who asked for anonymity over fear of reprisals, told Reuters. Some Venezuelans have vented their frustration via social media, sharing videos showing security officials picking through the destruction and taking clothes, appliances and cash. Other videos show members of the Venezuelan military looking on while brandishing guns as local volunteers and foreign rescue teams rush to find survivors. Senior government officials have attributed growing civilian anger and reports of military personnel involvement in looting and slow aid to misinformation. They have urged the public to ignore "manipulation strategies on social networks" and rely on official information. –from Reuters at https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/after-venezuela-quakes-citizens-lead-rescues-amid-military-theft-accusations-2026-07-01/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#42249): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/42249 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/120060260/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/13617172/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
