Tenerife Solidarity for Venezuela After Quake Tragedy
Tenerife has shown its support for Venezuela following devastating earthquakes that struck the country, which shares deep historical and cultural ties with the Canary Islands. A heartfelt mass was held on Sunday at La Laguna Cathedral, with another service scheduled for Monday at the El Pilar parish in Santa Cruz. Both were organised by the Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the Canaries.
Bishop Eloy Santiago led the service, which gathered hundreds, including Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo and local representatives. Many Venezuelan expatriates attended to express their solidarity with their countrymen, emphasising a shared bond across the Americas.
A Venezuelan flag adorned the altar, and the emotional highlight of the event was the singing of Venezuela’s national anthem, resonating in a region where a significant number of Venezuelan migrants reside. Clavijo stated that now, more than ever, it’s crucial to provide “support and hope” to the Venezuelan people during these difficult times.
On Monday at 7:30 PM, another mass will be conducted at the Church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Santa Cruz, dedicated to the victims of the earthquakes that have brought grief to the nation. The latest reports indicate that nearly 3,000 people have died and over 16,500 have been injured due to the quakes.
In related news, the Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the death toll of Spaniards in Venezuela has risen to 35, with 140 still missing and 11 located under rubble. A total of 10,702 individuals are currently housed in 79 emergency camps established after the earthquakes, with more than 16,300 reported homeless.
Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez has called for the lifting of sanctions against the regime to facilitate the response to the disasters.
