The disaster poses a huge challenge for the former vice president who took office in January. Tensions flared Saturday as desperation grew among anguished residents of the Venezuelan state of La Guaira, where rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors amid a sharply rising death toll.

As pledges of aid pour in from around the world, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency.

Venezuela faces tragedy after two powerful earthquakes kill 32 and injure 700, with La Guaira severely affected, warns President Rodríguez.