In a remarkable feat of international cooperation and resilience, a security guard named Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was successfully rescued from the debris of a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, Venezuela on July 2, 2026. The operation, which spanned over 100 hours, saw teams from Chile, the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Venezuela working tirelessly to free Gil Flores, who had been trapped since June 24 following a pair of devastating earthquakes that registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The rescue was considered a small miracle, as Gil Flores survived for eight days by being supplied with food and water by the rescue teams, far surpassing the typical 48- to 72-hour threshold most operations give to find survivors in disasters. The operation's success was celebrated worldwide, with Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez expressing her gratitude on social media for the "greatness of humanity" and the international rescue teams' efforts. Gil Flores, who worked as a night-shift security guard at the complex where he was trapped, is now receiving medical attention and reuniting with his family, bringing hope to many affected by the disaster.