On Wednesday, June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela just 39 seconds apart. The tremor was felt throughout almost the entire country, but the greatest damage occurred along the coast of Carabobo state, in the capital, Caracas, and in the city of La Guaira. To date, more than a month after the catastrophe, the death toll has reached 6,125, Many of them were children and teenagers enjoying a holiday at home, leaving us with a search for hope amidst the pain.

The Catastrophe in Venezuela

My country is in mourning; a profound sorrow permeates our streets. I pray only for peace for the souls of the deceased, as well as strength and solace for those who lost absolutely everything.

Hope and Reconstruction: Restoring the Cathedral

A few weeks ago, I went to downtown Valencia and witnessed firsthand the aftermath of the double earthquake on one of the city's most emblematic and oldest historical landmarks: the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Many of us were stunned to see the devastation wrought on such a majestic structure, truly grasping the immense power of nature.

To my surprise and the delight of many, I learned this weekend that they are already working on its repair; a specialized team is in charge of restoring it to its former glory.

I am amazed and deeply pleased that this kind of work is being done. I only hope that, just as the affected public spaces are being restored, the thousands of victims who lost their homes and are now surviving in tents or shelters will also receive the same urgent attention. In a context like the one our country is experiencing, asking for such efficiency might seem like a miracle, but I maintain faith and hope that the help they so desperately need will finally arrive.

Enlace de la historia de la Catedral basílica de Nuestra Señora del Socorro

Images from my gallery. I used Google Translate.