A magnitude 4.6 aftershock struck northern Venezuela early Monday, sending frightened residents fleeing into the streets. The tremor came five days after twin earthquakes devastated the region.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the aftershock at magnitude 4.6, shaking the capital Caracas and the damaged port city of La Guaira.
Colombia's geological survey measured it at 5.1.
The initial earthquakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, killed at least 1,450 people and left tens of thousands missing.
Jorge Rodríguez, leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, said there were no immediate reports of fresh damage, but the tremor caused widespread panic.
"I was asleep when the shaking woke me up.
It felt almost as strong as Wednesday's earthquake," said Amarelis Mendoza, a resident of El Hatillo in Caracas.
In heavily affected areas of Caracas, including Altamira and San Bernardino, residents fled makeshift shelters, sidewalk tents, and outdoor areas where they had been sleeping out of fear of building collapses.
Local authorities shut down several Caracas metro lines due to infrastructural concerns.
Search operations at the collapsed 22-unit Rita apartment building in San Bernardino were halted for 90 minutes.
While some businesses began to reopen, hundreds of displaced families continued to seek refuge in public squares and parks, including the 200-acre Parque del Este.
"Life is worth more than anything else," said 35-year-old Katiuska Asuaje, who fled her home in the La Cruz sector of Bello Campo with four children.
"We weren't going to wait for the house to collapse on top of us because one of the concrete roof slabs had already come loose."
Maryuri Pérez, 36, and Jaime Blanco, 40, lost their shack in west Caracas.
"What we need most is a tent or at least a mattress to sleep on," said Pérez.
"Thank God the neighbours have been bringing us food, but we have nowhere to sleep."
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that local and international rescue teams would continue efforts to comb through the rubble.
"Today we have rescued people who are still alive and therefore these efforts will not be suspended," she said.
However, an unnamed Salvadoran rescue worker told Agence France-Presse that chances of finding more survivors are dwindling, noting that teams are now more likely to recover bodies.
Government data indicates 3,150 people were injured and nearly 800 buildings were severely damaged, drawing criticism over slow response times and lack of disaster preparation.
Looting erupted in the ruined city of La Guaira, where residents ransacked pharmacies and supermarkets while complaining about the slow arrival of official humanitarian aid.
Authorities have banned international journalists from entering the collapse zones in La Guaira for 48 hours, citing security reasons.
Exasperation has boiled over in some areas where people claim authorities have not done enough to rescue earthquake victims.
"The country needs you.
Put down your weapon," one man shouted to soldiers in the Tanaguarena area of La Guaira state, urging them to swap their guns for picks and shovels.
According to official reports, 24 nations have sent 521 tons of supplies, 86 canine rescue units, and more than 2,700 search-and-rescue personnel.
The UN migration agency estimated that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, requiring urgent water, sanitation, shelter, and medical care.
The United Nations placed the physical repair bill at $6.7 billion, equal to six percent of Venezuela's GDP, following a decade of severe economic collapse.
The United States responded by doubling its aid package to $300 million for emergency medical care, food, water, sanitation, and logistics.
Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, who is in exile, announced she would return "very soon" to her homeland.
