MIAMI — Venezuela’s disaster zone was closed to the public on Saturday morning, and witnesses reported on social media that law enforcement and the military were turning away donors and volunteers.

Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president, and Diosdado Cabello, the minister of interior, announced on Friday night that volunteers had to register in Caracas to be allowed to enter the state of La Guaira.

Cabello said they had “taken into account various factors— including health-related ones —given the time that has elapsed" and crowd control so first responders could move more freely.

“Under the rubble, we have people alive, but we also have people who are dead,” Cabello said in Spanish.

Rodríguez and Cabello announced that their administration was opening a registration center at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Poliedro de Caracas, an indoor sports arena.

“People will be able to register based on their expertise and receive a credential with a QR code, which will accredit them to participate in support activities,” Rodríguez said during her public announcement.

While local reporters and witnesses shared videos showing a loud crowd waiting in line outside, a Globovision reporter showed a quiet scene as officials waited behind registration tables. There were acts of defiance reported in the town of Tucacas.

En Tucacas una avalancha de gente rompe el cordón de seguridad de la GNB para pasar hacia la zona cero en labores de rescate ya que no llega la ayuda del gobierno. pic.twitter.com/h8R5gF2M5Q
— Patrizia Aymerich (@Patifini) June 27, 2026

🇻🇪🚨| URGENTE: Una avalancha de venezolanos con palas, picos y cascos rompe el cordón policial para ayudar en el rescate de sus familias y amigos en Tucacas, en el estado Falcón. Esta es la actitud en contra del régimen genocida. pic.twitter.com/rZh6Y4PxnD
— Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) June 27, 2026

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