# Venezuela municipal upgrades, waste clean‑up, rodent surge > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maracaibo-municipal-recreation-revitalization > Updated: 2026-07-24T21:39:28.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 16. The municipal revitalisation programme that began in May 2026 with sports‑court refurbishments in Maracaibo expanded through June to include city‑wide public‑space upgrades, major canal sanitation, new health modules, and nationwide fitness events. Health‑focused actions such as well repairs, gynecology unit re‑activation and rapid water‑pipeline restoration complemented cultural festivals and the IV Latin American Tropical Livestock Expo. In late July, the effort shifted toward intensive waste‑management operations. In Maracaibo, the Municipal Environment Institute launched a 640‑metre clean‑up of the Morillo creek in the 12 de Octubre sector, using jumbo excavators to clear debris, restore the natural channel and prevent flood‑related blockages, following Mayor Giancarlo Di Martino’s directive to halt illegal dumping. Simultaneously, the municipality of Mario Briceño Iragorry in Aragua reported a collapse of garbage collection in the Caña de Azúcar area, leading to extensive waste piles, a rat infestation and heightened concerns about leptospirosis and other infections. Authorities emphasised the need for prompt remediation to avoid broader public‑health outbreaks. On 24 July 2026 residents of sector 8 in Caña de Azúcar reported a rapid increase in rodents after solid waste accumulated on streets and public squares. Irregular and insufficient urban‑cleaning services left bags of trash on sidewalks for days, fostering a daytime rodent plague and raising fears of leptospirosis, gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. Community members urged municipal officials to increase collection frequency, launch cleaning campaigns, and address the sanitation failures threatening public health. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-24: Aragua, Venezuela faces rodent outbreak linked to garbage buildup Garbage buildup in sector 8 of Caña de Azúcar, Aragua, has spurred a rodent plague and health‑risk warnings from residents. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-municipalities-launch-cleanup-operations-to-curb-wasterelated-health-hazards ### 2026-06-29: Maracaibo and Gines launch major municipal waste‑removal campaigns Maracaibo, Venezuela, aims to extract 1,000 tonnes of ravine waste, while Spain’s Gines runs an annual drain‑cleaning drive to prevent flooding. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maracaibo-and-gines-launch-municipal-waterway-cleanup-projects ### 2026-06-23: Venezuelan government restores community centers in Maracaibo and Caracas Venezuelan authorities led by Delcy Rodríguez are refurbishing community centers in Maracaibo and Caracas, fixing infrastructure, adding walkways and restoring public spaces for local residents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-government-restores-community-centers-in-maracaibo-and-caracas ### 2026-06-22: Caracas municipality undertakes extensive cleaning and infrastructure work in 23 de Enero Caracas' CorpoLibertador cleaned streets, trimmed trees, cleared waste and began infrastructure upgrades in 23 de Enero to curb flood risk and improve public spaces. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/caracas-municipality-undertakes-extensive-cleaning-and-infrastructure-work-in-23-de-enero ### 2026-06-22: Maracaibo launches fourth Copa Azzurra kickingball cup and celebrates theater reopening anniversary Maracaibo’s mayor opened the fourth Copa Azzurra kickingball tournament and, two days later, the city celebrated the theater’s second anniversary with choirs and government support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maracaibo-launches-fourth-copa-azzurra-kickingball-cup-and-celebrates-theater-reopening-anniversary ### 2026-06-22: Venezuela’s Neblina community and Dominican Republic expand water supply projects Venezuelan Neblina community still lacks a reliable water system, while the Dominican Republic’s Caasd advances projects to supply clean water to over 124,000 people. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelas-neblina-community-and-dominican-republic-expand-water-supply-projects ### 2026-06-18: Zulia’s Maracaibo hosts IV Latin American Tropical Livestock Expo Maracaibo, Zulia, hosted the IV Latin American Tropical Livestock Expo, drawing 180 firms and 400 animals, while showcasing embryo‑transfer technology and being touted as Venezuela’s new livestock capital. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zulias-maracaibo-hosts-iv-latin-american-tropical-livestock-expo ### 2026-06-16: Water utilities in Venezuela and Argentina carry out critical pipe and maintenance work Hidroven repaired a major pipe in Maturín, Venezuela, while SAMEEP performed electrical maintenance at Barranqueras Plant 1 in Argentina, causing brief water‑pressure drops. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/water-utilities-in-venezuela-and-argentina-carry-out-critical-pipe-and-maintenance-work ### 2026-06-15: Venezuelan Government Launches Maternal and Vision Health Initiatives in Mérida and Monagas Venezuelan authorities held a maternal‑infant water program in Mérida and reopened a gynecology unit while distributing 450 lenses in Monagas, targeting early development and women's health. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-government-launches-maternal-and-vision-health-initiatives-in-mrida-and-monagas ### 2026-06-12: Zulia government restores Maracaibo sewage lines and Padilla sidewalks Zulia’s governor Luis Caldera announced sewage‑collector replacements for 3,000 families in Maracaibo’s western parishes, and the state began rebuilding Padilla Avenue sidewalks after resident complaints. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zulia-government-restores-maracaibo-sewage-lines-and-padilla-sidewalks ### 2026-06-09: Venezuelan authorities boost water supply and sewage services in Monagas and Sucre Venezuelan MinAguas and Hidroven restored deep wells and boosted water flow for over 1,600 families in Monagas, while also performing sewage network repairs in Río Caribe, Sucre to improve sanitation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-authorities-boost-water-supply-and-sewage-services-in-monagas-and-sucre ### 2026-06-05: Venezuela hosts large community sports events in Maracaibo and Monagas Venezuela saw two major sports gatherings: a 5K walk in Maracaibo with a car raffle, and the launch of student games in Monagas featuring over 900 athletes competing in 24 disciplines. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-hosts-large-community-sports-events-in-maracaibo-and-monagas ### 2026-06-03: Maracaibo mayor inaugurates renovated La Victoria multi‑use sports court Maracaibo’s mayor opened a renovated multi‑use sports court in La Victoria, adding basketball, futsal and volleyball facilities as part of city‑wide community upgrades. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maracaibo-mayor-inaugurates-renovated-la-victoria-multiuse-sports-court ### 2026-06-01: Venezuelan authorities clean Maracaibo canal and open new recreation facilities in Caracas Venezuelan officials cleared 8,400 t of waste from Maracaibo’s Cañada Caribe and opened new sport, park and health facilities in Caracas, benefiting thousands of families. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-authorities-clean-maracaibo-canal-and-open-new-recreation-facilities-in-caracas ### 2026-05-28: Maracaibo launches cultural festival and sport challenge to spur tourism and health Maracaibo staged the ¡Vive la Retreta! cultural festival with over 60 local entrepreneurs and a city‑wide sport challenge that engaged thousands to promote tourism, commerce and public health. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maracaibo-launches-cultural-festival-and-sport-challenge-to-spur-tourism-and-health ### 2026-05-11: Venezuelan municipalities revamp local sports venues Maracaibo and Amancio municipal governments renovated community sports courts and a stadium, enhancing local recreation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-municipalities-revamp-local-sports-venues --- Cite as: Venezuela municipal upgrades, waste clean‑up, rodent surge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maracaibo-municipal-recreation-revitalization