As a month passes since the earthquakes that shook Venezuela, the Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo González has emphasized that the reconstruction of the country also involves redefining the role of the State, which must be "at the service of its people," in contrast to what, in his opinion, has been seen during these weeks.
In a letter disseminated on his social networks, González denounces that, after this first month, the victims of the earthquakes "must rebuild their lives without sufficient answers, without certainties, and, too often, without the support they should receive from the State."
The leader recalls that public opinion has been able to verify how "almost three decades" of "progressive dismantling of institutions," "corruption," and "indifference" have seriously complicated recovery efforts, and he argues that the catastrophe has further exposed these structural deficiencies.
"It is clear that no one can prevent the earth from shaking, but those who hold power do have the responsibility to respond when the population needs greater protection and, even more so, when the country faces one of the greatest natural disasters in its history," he has emphasized.
González values the resilience demonstrated by citizens during this time, "always supportive," taking on functions that should correspond to the State. "That solidarity honors the country, but it can no longer be used to cover up institutional orphanhood," he has warned.
In this line, he insists that "the reconstruction of Venezuela is not just about building houses, reconstructing hospitals, schools, and roads. It also requires recovering a State that protects, responds, and never turns its back on its people."
The opposition figure, who resides in Spain, also maintains that, although "force can administer power for a time," true "legitimacy" is only obtained with citizen support. "Those who are unable to understand this will end up distancing themselves from the country they claim to represent," he has stated.
"The reconstruction of Venezuela begins with recovering a State at the service of its people. That is and will continue to be my commitment," González has concluded.
In parallel, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, María Corina Machado, has shared a video on her social networks in which she expresses her sorrow for not being able to be physically in Venezuela at this time, although she assures that she accompanies "in a symbolic and spiritual plane" all the families hit by the disaster.
"There is not a single moment that I do not wish with all my soul to be able to hug each other, look into each other's eyes, support each other as this moment deserves," she states in a message full of emotion, illustrated with images of the "greatest tragedy" that the country has experienced.
"We are all facing this tragedy in a very personal way," she adds, after confessing that her "life cries" for those who have been affected. "It is time to hold each other up, to take care of each other (...) We have each other. And that is the strength that keeps us and will always keep us," Machado has concluded.