Venezuelan families in La Silsa call for rebuilding of earthquake‑damaged building

Thirteen families living in the four‑storey Los Guanchez building in La Silsa, a densely populated area of Catia, western Caracas, are demanding that authorities reconstruct their home after it was severely damaged by the June 24 earthquakes. An inspection by the Libertador municipality on 26 July classified the structure as “restricted use” and placed a yellow warning tag on the façade, indicating moderate risk and prohibiting continuous occupancy.

The residents, who have occupied the 75‑year‑old building for 26 years, cite cracked columns, walls, and a roof that houses two families, one of which includes a person with a motor disability. They allege repeated attempts to obtain official assistance have been rejected because they are considered irregular occupants. The families are urging municipal and national officials to fund a comprehensive rehabilitation of the building.

The case highlights ongoing housing insecurity in Caracas, where many informal settlers depend on self‑managed extensions of older structures and face limited access to formal reconstruction programs.