Four Venezuelan police officers are facing dismissal after their arrest on suspicion of looting cash from a building destroyed by last week's devastating twin earthquakes. The officers, members of the scientific, penal and criminalistic investigation service corps (CICPC), are accused of taking money from a safe found within the rubble in the severely affected state of La Guaira.
The arrests come amidst widespread public anger and frustration over the perceived slow pace of the government's rescue operations and allegations of misconduct by some members of the military and police. Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed individuals attempting to prevent officers from appropriating a safe filled with US dollars from a ruined structure.
In a statement, the CICPC confirmed the arrest and suspension of the four officers, stating that disciplinary proceedings for their "immediate dismissal" had commenced. The organisation condemned the "individual conduct" as "reprehensible and contrary to the fundamental values of our doctrine," asserting that it "directly undermines the institution's prestige and public respect."
The back-to-back earthquakes have caused immense destruction, resulting in nearly 2,000 fatalities, over 10,000 injuries, and tens of thousands still missing. While a three-year-old boy was miraculously rescued alive from rubble in La Guaira earlier this week, hopes of finding further survivors are diminishing as the days pass since the disaster struck.
Volunteers, often equipped with basic tools like shovels and ropes, continue to lead much of the search effort. Many have expressed frustration, claiming that while they strive to locate survivors, some Venezuelan military and police personnel are allegedly involved in looting, obstructing aid deliveries, and diverting donations intended for victims. Senior government officials have attributed the growing civilian anger and reports of misconduct to misinformation, urging the public to disregard "manipulation strategies on social networks" and rely on official information.
However, some volunteer rescuers report seeing little evidence of a swift official response a week after the disaster. Teams of volunteers, including medical students and amateur searchers, have streamed into La Guaira, the epicentre of the disaster, to offer their support, battling traffic and difficult conditions in their efforts to assist those affected.
Source: CICPC, Reuters