The Minister of Ecosocialism Nelson Rodríguez estimated that the process of sorting, crushing and final disposal of debris generated by the earthquakes of 24 June in Vargas could extend for nearly one year. According to figures presented by the official, the total volume of materials resulting from the collapses reaches approximately 2.1 million tonnes.
In 57 days of operations, over 500,000 tonnes have been removed and around 40,000 have been crushed, Rodríguez said during an interview on VTV. The official noted that the current rate of collection stands between 280 and 300 tonnes per day.
Rodríguez explained that crushing allows the physical volume of waste to be reduced by approximately 80 per cent. However, the magnitude of accumulated material and the projected timeframe reflect the scale of structural damage caused by the tremors in the coastal zone, one of the most affected regions in the country.
Residents and communities of La Guaira continue to live alongside debris in streets, residential areas and zones near collapsed buildings. Although collection points have been set up and progress is being made in material separation, the remaining volume exceeds 1.5 million tonnes according to official figures, representing a long-term logistical and environmental challenge.
To date, authorities have not publicly disclosed additional resources, machinery available in the medium term, or a schedule of intermediate milestones that would allow assessment of progress beyond the general figures presented. The minister's projection comes almost two months after the double earthquake that generated one of the largest concentrations of debris in the recent history of the state.
