Thousands of Venezuelans are feared dead after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks.
So far 32 people have been confirmed dead and 700 injured after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km (100 miles) west of Caracas.
It was followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Emergency workers continue to search the debris of collapsed buildings.
Rodriguez has said the initial casualty figures do not include those from worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city’s airport, which has been closed.
