Mexico’s Topos Azteca Brigade Aids Venezuela Earthquake Victims

Mexico City: A contingent of Mexico’s renowned civilian search-and-rescue unit, the Brigada Internacional de Rescate Topos Azteca, has deployed to Venezuela to assist in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes. The brigade, known for its expertise in disaster response both domestically and internationally, is carrying essential equipment including body bags as the death toll continues to rise.

Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the team’s arrival in Venezuela comes as the country grapples with one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent history. Authorities reported that more than 2,200 people have perished and over 11,000 have sustained injuries following two powerful earthquakes that struck the nation’s Caribbean coast nearly a week prior. International rescue efforts are ongoing in the most affected areas, particularly in the state of La Guaira, where search operations for survivors are increasingly transitioning to recovery missions amid fading hopes.

Among the volunteers is German Bello, a 39-year-old electrical engineer and volunteer with the Topos Azteca. Bello, known within the brigade as “La Secre,” is the right-hand man to the group’s founder, 80-year-old Hector “El Chino” Mendez. Mendez, a veteran rescuer who initiated civilian rescue efforts after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, is already on the ground in La Guaira, coordinating search operations. Bello, like other volunteers, carries not only rescue gear but also supplies for the solemn task of recovering those who have died.

The Topos Azteca, founded after the catastrophic 1985 earthquake in Mexico City, operates as an independent non-profit organization. The brigade earned its nickname “Topos,” meaning moles, due to their method of navigating through narrow openings and voids in collapsed structures to search for survivors. Their operational code emphasizes unwavering focus and emotional control in disaster zones, with volunteers often reciting lines like “There is no hunger, no heat, no sleep. There is no fear.” This disciplined approach is critical when the difference between life and death can hinge on precise actions amidst unstable debris.

In the field, rescue teams meticulously assess the structural integrity of damaged buildings before commencing their painstaking work. Using specialized equipment such as thermal cameras to detect signs of life, they employ shovels, hand hammers, and other tools to clear rubble inch by inch, all while taking extreme precautions to prevent further collapses. A key search technique, formalized by the Topos after the 1985 earthquake and now adopted by rescue teams globally, involves enforcing absolute silence in the disaster zone. This allows rescuers to listen intently for any sounds of life, such as a voice, a knock, or faint movement, using sensitive microphones or simply by pressing an ear against the rubble.

The human element of the mission was underscored at Mexico City’s international airport when a Venezuelan engineer, Diego Bejarano, approached Bello upon learning of his deployment. Bejarano, whose family is in Caracas, expressed profound gratitude, becoming emotional and thanking Bello for undertaking the dangerous mission. Bello’s response, a tight embrace, reflects the deeply personal nature of such humanitarian efforts. Bello himself stated that the “reward” for his volunteering is the ability to offer a glimmer of hope to those affected by tragedy.

The Topos Azteca brigade has a long history of international deployment, responding to major disasters across the globe. Their specialized skills and disciplined approach have made them a respected force in international disaster relief, offering critical support in regions devastated by natural calamities.

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