will reopen commercial flights as soon as possible using an alternative runway. The airport, located near the epicenter in La Guaira, has been partially open only for humanitarian flights. The earthquakes killed nearly 3,700 people and injured about 17,000, with thousands still missing. The disaster destroyed scores of residential buildings, leaving thousands homeless and families digging through rubble for loved ones. The UN estimated as many as 50,000 people were initially unaccounted for. Around 2,000 US troops have been deployed for disaster relief, helping repair both the airport and the quake-hit port in La Guaira to facilitate supply deliveries. US officials are in talks with American airlines to resume commercial flights, though infrastructure work remains. The UN estimates $6.7 billion in damage — about 6% of Venezuela's GDP — and has requested $14.85 million for relief efforts. The disaster struck a country already crippled by economic crisis and political turmoil. Rodriguez, who took office in January after Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces, has defended her government's response amid public anger over the slow rescue efforts. (Bssnews)