The Daily Journal — Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced changes to her cabinet and the creation of a high-level body that will oversee and coordinate Venezuela’s national reconstruction effort following the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
Rodríguez appointed Francisco Garcés as the new Minister of Transportation. She highlighted his technical background, describing him as “a specialist in Structural Engineering and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering,” and said he will lead efforts to strengthen this strategic sector in service of the Venezuelan people.
Garcés will focus on restoring roads and public transportation systems, which suffered extensive damage during the seismic disaster.
Rodríguez also announced the creation of the Gran Misión Venezuela Renace (“Great Mission Venezuela Reborn”) and appointed Jacqueline Faría to serve as its president. The new agency, which will report directly to the Office of the President, will manage and allocate resources designated for the emergency response.
According to Rodríguez, Faría “will oversee and coordinate housing and infrastructure recovery efforts, directing the technical assessments and actions needed to deliver timely assistance to families affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela.”
The June 24 twin earthquakes caused structural damage to more than 800 buildings, including 190 that collapsed completely, leaving 17,345 people homeless.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimates that the earthquakes in Venezuela’s north-central region caused approximately $6.7 billion in direct material damage, an amount equivalent to about 6% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
