Family Pleads for Rescue of Venezuelan Artist Trapped in Earthquake Rubble

Venezuelan artist Onai Quiñonez remains trapped under the rubble of a collapsed residential building in Caraballeda, La Guaira, after two earthquakes struck on June 24, 2026. His sister-in-law Mariela Roa told Hyperallergic via WhatsApp that he is at the Yurre Beach residence and has been under debris for 41 hours. His wife, artist Laura Silva, was outside walking their dog when the building fell. The family is calling for specialized rescue equipment and donations via Zelle and PayPal. The earthquakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit a minute apart; the second was the strongest in Venezuela in over a century. At least 589 people are dead and over 3,000 injured, according to acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Quiñonez, originally from Mérida, is known for vibrant expressionistic paintings. Other artists missing include textile artist Siul Rasse and photographer Azalia Licón. GBG Arts in Caracas is organizing a fundraiser, and the I Love Venezuela Foundation is collecting aid. The disaster follows Trump's dismantling of USAID, which experts say is slowing relief, and Venezuela was already under economic sanctions after Trump's abduction of President Nicolás Maduro.