A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
For a voice on the ground in Venezuela, we're going now to Camille Rodriguez Montilla, a reporter based in Caracas. So where are you now, and what are you seeing?
CAMILLE RODRIGUEZ MONTILLA: So right now, I'm just reaching San Bernardino, close to the center of the city. I come from Altamira at the moment, where at least four buildings have collapsed after the earthquake. And what I'm seeing is, well, what's left of the building here. There's a lot of rubble that people have been trying to move during the night, a lot of police presence, especially in these areas, and firefighters, as well as a lot of volunteers just trying to help as much as they can.
MARTÍNEZ: OK. How prepared was Venezuela for something like this?
MONTILLA: Absolutely zero. As you probably know, the country has been going through a huge crisis for the past 10 years at least. And moreover, I think people mostly, they just don't have the economic capacity to be prepared for anything.
MARTÍNEZ: We've heard that doctors and reporters and volunteers trying to help have been met with some resistance. How true is that?
MONTILLA: That has been very, very sad. And that is absolutely true, especially in Altamira. Last night, a lot of volunteers and reporters were just being treated in such an unfair way by the police. Even doctors. The police is just refusing to get doctors' help in that area, which is unbelievable, especially in a moment like this.
And, yeah, just a lot of resistance from the police to allow photojournalists or any reporter to work in the area. I was just dragged by a female police officer, even though I was not in her way. I was not in the way of the ambulance. But, I mean, I do think that they're just used to being that aggressive towards the press and towards the general public. And it has - sadly, it has not changed in a moment like this.
MARTÍNEZ: And just to be clear, is there anywhere for people to go indoors? Or are the buildings right now at a point where they can't be trusted?
MONTILLA: None at all. That is a huge part of the issue. So a lot of people in Caracas are just camping. I've also seen people all over the city just either using tents or just sleeping on the floor. And from the people I've talked to, what they say is that they're just too scared to go back inside.
MARTÍNEZ: That's Camille Rodriguez Montilla, a reporter based in Caracas, Venezuela. Thank you very much. Please stay safe. And thank you for speaking with us.
MONTILLA: Thank you very much, A. Take care. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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