NPR News: 06-29-2026 2AM EDT

Dale Willman· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Frustration is growing in Venezuela following last week's earthquake that killed more than fourteen hundred people. As John Otis reports, survivors claim the government's response has been slow and inept.

John Otis0:14

[backhoe digging] That's a backhoe digging through the ruins of a 12-story building that collapsed here in the coastal town of Los Corales. But local residents say the government backhoe operator never showed up, so they had to pay for one. Many are incensed by government paralysis and bureaucracy. The security forces have been accused of looting. Doctors and rescue workers have faced delays getting to the disaster zone because they lacked government permits. "All this is costing lives," says Rosalia Bustamante, who lost several friends when the building collapsed.

Rosalia Bustamante· Soundbite0:50

"There were people in the ruins responding when we called out to them," she says, "but now they are dead."

John Otis0:57

For NPR News, I'm John Otis in Los Corales, Venezuela.

Dale Willman· Host1:01

Tens of thousands of people are still missing following the quakes. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he's sending a bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Trump on Monday. Trump had canceled a signing ceremony for the measure last week in an effort to pressure Republicans to pass a controversial voter ID bill. Johnson met with Trump on Thursday to reschedule a signing for that bill.

Mike Johnson· Soundbite1:24

The housing bill, uh, really is a Republican priority because it will lower housing