Venezuela is facing a humanitarian tragedy after the double earthquake that has shaken the country and has already left hundreds dead and thousands injured. While Spain sends rescue teams and enables emergency telephones for those affected, Pedro Sánchez arrives at the Federal Committee of the PSOE under growing internal and political pressure. In addition, Aragón is fighting the first major fire of the summer, which keeps several municipalities confined and evacuated. This is how Carlos Alsina summarizes the main news of the day.
Venezuela raises the death toll to 235 after the double earthquake
The first thing is the current situation in Venezuela. More than 24 hours after the double magnitude earthquake 7.2 and 7.5the latest official balance speaks of 235 dead and 157 missingalthough different citizen initiatives estimate more than 20,000 the people who could still be missing.
Among them there are 80 SpaniardsAs confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albareswhich has also raised two the number of Spanish citizens killed in this catastrophe. The latest official figures were offered this morning by the Venezuelan Minister of Health, Carlos Alvaradowhich has placed the number of injured at 4,300.
The acting president, Delcy Rodriguezhas moved in the last few hours to the state of La Guairathe most affected by the earthquake. There, more than 100 buildings They have been completely collapsed and heavy machinery is being used to try to locate survivors. In this area alone, more than 70,000 families They have been left without housing.
The Foreign Minister appeared from La Guaira last night, Diosdado Hairwho asked the population for calm and announced the reinforcement of the device with the arrival of 11,500 soldiers. The priority objective continues to be to rescue alive the approximately 200 people who could remain trapped under the rubble.
As we have been saying since yesterday, these are provisional data and the authorities do not rule out that the number of victims will continue to increase as the rescue efforts progress.
Many countries have already announced the sending of humanitarian aid to Venezuela. In the case of Spain, this morning a plane took off with 59 EMU troops, 8 canine units and 40 ERICAM specialiststhe immediate response team of the Community of Madrid for major disasters.
In addition, two emergency telephone numbers have been set up to assist family members and those affected: 91 000 1249 and the +58 424-2090264.
Sánchez faces a Federal Committee marked by internal pressure
After confirming this week, twice, that he does not have sufficient parliamentary support to continue governing, Pedro Sanchez tomorrow faces the great socialist event of the year: the PSOE Federal Committee.
The president will arrive at the meeting ready to vindicate his role as a leader who has acted against corruption and who must remain at the forefront to stop the advance of the extreme right. However, within the party there are growing critical voices that consider it necessary to convene elections this year.
Some leaders go even further and demand that Sánchez take a step back, following the example of Keir Starmerto facilitate the creation of a manager to call an extraordinary Federal Congress and elect a new leader of the PSOE. These voices warn of the serious crisis of credibility that the party is going through after the various cases of alleged corruption.
Political pressure increased yesterday when Congress passed a motion urging the president to present a trust issue or to dissolve the Cortes. The initiative was carried out by an absolute majority with the votes of PP, Vox and Juntsthe same result that had already occurred a day before in the Senate.
Although it is becoming increasingly evident that Sánchez has lost the support of a good part of the groups that made his inauguration possible in 2023, the president reacted to the result of the vote with applause and smiles. These were the assessments made later by some of its parliamentary partners.
Aragon fights the first big fire of the summer
The fire declared yesterday in the region of Bunk Tamaritein Huesca, has already become the first big fire of the summer and the worst recorded in Aragon since 2022.
The flames affect a surface of about 40 square kilometersalthough the calcined extension is still not known precisely. Initial investigations suggest that the origin of the fire could have been a spark coming from an agricultural vehicle.
The fire advanced quickly due to the warm wind and high temperatures. The president of Aragon, Jorge Azconexpressed his concern last night from the command post installed in the town of Alcampell and hoped that the drop in temperatures during the night would contribute to slowing the spread of the flames.
As a preventive measure, the Government of Aragon sent an alert ES-Alert to the 900 Fonz neighborsrecommending confinement and closing doors and windows. In addition, others were evicted 240 neighbors of the municipalities of Azanuy, Alins and Calasanzwhile several roads remain closed for safety reasons.
