The death toll from the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Venezuela on Tuesday has risen to 342, with over 1,200 injured and thousands displaced. International rescue teams have been denied access, while local hospitals report critical shortages of medical supplies and power outages.
The Maduro government faces accusations of criminal negligence after it emerged that early warnings were ignored and building codes had not been enforced. The opposition has called for an independent inquiry, but the regime has dismissed it as a 'political manoeuvre'. With the country already in economic collapse, this disaster threatens to push Venezuela further into chaos.
