Caracas, Sept. 23, 2026 (Lusa) - Three months after the twin earthquakes in June, Portuguese-Venezuelan traders are seeking more favourable loan conditions from local banks, a situation that is gradually improving the resumption of business and the reconstruction of premises in La Guaira.

«We still have faith and will continue to fight to get back to a normal working routine, but we need more financial resources (…) the loans they are offering us are very meagre and come with terms that most of us are not prepared to accept», as they are granted without interest-free periods and with a «very short» repayment term, a Portuguese-Venezuelan business owner told Lusa.

José Luiz Rodrigues do Santos, 64, owns a vehicle exhaust workshop that he will soon have to vacate.

«The premises were affected only slightly, but the building next door is leaning and could collapse at any moment. The zinc roof has already sustained some damage because a wall from the building fell on top of it. The damage is minor and can be repaired, but removing the equipment from there involves some risk,» he says.

The son of Madeiran immigrants from Calheta, José Luís recalls that on the day of the earthquakes «it was a public holiday, so I was at home with my family» «At around 6 p.m., we felt the ground shaking and huddled near the bedroom door, in an area with four walls that seemed more sturdy. Thank God, the building remained standing,» he says.

The Portuguese-Venezuelan also said state engineers issued him a certificate stating that the building where he lives is habitable but needs repairs.

«There were three of us, but I'm the only one in my family who's still here; the others [my wife and daughter] have already left the country,» he confides.

José Luís laments the lack of financial aid «because not everyone has enough money in the bank to cover their expenses».

«What's more, we could get the business back on its feet, make a major investment, but we don't know what will happen afterwards. There's a great deal of uncertainty about how sales will go, what difficulties might arise when it comes to repaying loans (…) We need financing with longer terms, four or five years, and at least a ‘grace period',» he added.

A survivor of the 1999 floods in Vargas [now La Guaira], explained that at that time the worst-affected areas were Macuto, Los Carales and Caraballeda, and insisted that «this time it was worse because the earthquake affected the whole state».

«In 1999, when they were clearing away the mud, the houses were still standing, but now the buildings have collapsed. Even back then, Portugal and Portuguese banks granted loans that helped us, but now, when the situation is more challenging, we are still awaiting news,» he said.

Another businessman, Francisco Correia Rodrigues, told Lusa that he lost his home entirely, as well as a small shopping centre, with five shops and seven offices, which he ran in partnership with his brother in Cátia La Mar.

The earthquake also affected his supermarket, which looters subsequently ransacked.

He recalls that he was working that day because one of his staff was off sick.

«And then the earthquake struck. It was slow and gentle at first, but seconds later the second wave hit – it was far too strong, and we couldn't even stay on our feet,» he describes.

He explained that, since then, he has been trying, without success, to find out what support he might receive from Portugal.

«In 1999, after the floods, Portugal provided financial support, but now the situation is much more serious. Portugal and the Portuguese banks should provide financial support to the Portuguese community here. We would gladly repay a loan that would help us get our businesses and homes back on their feet. Support like that would be essential,» he said.

Speaking to Lusa, Eusébio de Sousa expressed hope for greater support from local authorities.

«We shopkeepers who are still standing are trying to carry on, but the idea that we have received any support from the local government is completely false. They keep charging us landfill and cleaning fees, yet they have not collected the rubbish. I can say, in all sincerity, that I have yet to see help from the Venezuelan government,» he said.

He said that when shopkeepers try to turn to local banks, the response is that loans are for entrepreneurs, not for those who have lost their businesses and want to start again.

The double earthquake on 24 June caused severe damage to infrastructure, as well as injuries and fatalities, in seven Venezuelan states: Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Lara, Yaracuy and La Guaira, the latter being the worst affected.

According to the latest updated figures released by the authorities, 6,509 people died, and medical staff treated 226,696 injured people in Venezuelan hospitals following the earthquakes.

Among the fatalities, there are at least 138 Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent.

FPG/ADB // ADB.

Lusa