4,930Earthquake deaths in the official count · Figure announced by Jorge Rodríguez, according to Al Jazeera.
50,000Missing people estimated by the UN · Estimate cited by Al Jazeera.
+48%48% more mentions of Diosdado Cabello by the opposition this week · Compared with his average this year on opposition and independent channels.
According to The New York Times, as cited by El Nacional, Diosdado Cabello is promoting his daughter Daniella Cabello, 30, the tourism minister, as a possible presidential candidate for the ruling party. His associates argue she would be more accepted than acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who trails María Corina Machado by a wide margin in recent polls.
On NTN24, the report was read as Cabello's attempt to hold on to power. El Nacional says the strategy reflects tensions inside chavismo over a possible transition.
«Diosdado Cabello seeks to extend his power by promoting his daughter Daniela Cabello as the ruling party's candidate in future elections.»— NTN24 (reading The New York Times), July 16, 2026 · watch
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On his show, broadcast by VTV, Cabello went through headlines accusing him of obstructing U.S. rescuers in La Guaira and cited the State Department calling the incident a misunderstanding. He also mocked reports about money hidden under the rubble.
Patricia Poleo replied that Cabello spent more than three hours trying to deny that the government failed to reach victims in time.
«The incident was resolved. Of course it was resolved right there on the spot.»— Diosdado Cabello, July 16, 2026 · watch
«Diosdado Cabello returned to Mazo Dando yesterday, a show of more than 3 hours in which he made every possible attempt to rebut reality»— Patricia Poleo, July 16, 2026 · watch
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According to Al Jazeera, lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez raised the earthquake death toll to 4,930, with 16,970 injured and 21,120 people in shelters. The UN estimates about 50,000 missing, the outlet reported.
Daniel Lara Farías criticized Delcy Rodríguez over her visits to the affected areas and asked Donald Trump for a different strategy for Venezuela.
«The country we had before the earthquake is not the same country we have today.»— Daniel Lara Farías, July 16, 2026 · watch
