Venezuelan police officers detained for stealing money from earthquake debris

Four members of Venezuela's Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas (CICPC) were arrested and expelled from the force after video footage showed them attempting to take cash found in the rubble of collapsed buildings in La Guaira, the region hardest hit by the twin earthquakes of 24 June. The officers—identified as Aguilar Reyes Maya, Fredy Rafael Lugo Oliveros, Roger Andrés Omaña and Jonathan Josué Burgos Sánchez—were accused of “deviating from their duties” and appropriating “economic assets” during rescue operations. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello condemned the conduct as “indecent, immoral and impudent,” promising “zero‑tolerance” and that the perpetrators would be judged “as appropriate.” The CICPC director Douglas Rico announced the permanent dismissal of the four officers and that they will face judicial proceedings. The incident sparked public outrage, with residents confronting the officers, destroying the seized U.S. dollars and labeling the officials a “shame” to the nation.