Dancer vows to care for nephews after Venezuela earthquake
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Liz Marrero, a dancer living in Los Angeles, United States, is now raising her two orphaned nephews after an earthquake in Venezuela killed her mother, sister, and brother-in-law three months ago.
Marrero recognized her sister’s body during a video call following the disaster and now lives with the trauma. She promised her sister she would raise Sebastián, 16, and Samuel, 11, as her own children. Both boys survived the earthquake, but faced different challenges.
Sebastián witnessed buildings collapsing near the beach, while Samuel was rescued from rubble a day after the building fell. Samuel is recovering from fractures and facial paralysis, and needs ongoing medical attention. Sebastián is coping with the loss of his family and the disruption to his life. Marrero’s mother had initially come to the United States on a visit and received Temporary Protected Status, but a judge later denied her asylum request, requiring her to return to Venezuela.
The family had recently moved into a temporary building while waiting for a new apartment, and that building collapsed during the earthquake. Marrero is now fundraising to provide for her nephews, having already collected $70,000 through GoFundMe, and plans to launch a global dance event to raise further funds and awareness.
