Josney Peroza, who owns and operates Ukelele Foods, a Venezuelan food truck in Delray Beach, learned of a devastating disaster through news alerts reporting two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes that struck seconds apart in Venezuela. When videos of the collapsed building where his mother lived began circulating, his worst fears intensified. Hours later, his brother confirmed that their mother had been inside the structure when it fell. With power outages and severed connections throughout Venezuela, Peroza spent an agonizing stretch of time unable to reach anyone or confirm whether his mother had survived. About eight hours after the collapse, he finally received a call at 3 a.m. stating that his mother was alive but trapped under the rubble. Relatives and neighbors worked with their bare hands to dig her out. His mother sustained a broken hip requiring surgery and lost her home in the disaster.
Peroza describes his food truck as more than just a place to eat. "This is more than a food truck. It is a cultural Venezuelan experience that we share with the community," he said. "We call it Venezuela without a passport." The broader humanitarian crisis extends far beyond his family's tragedy. The coastal state of La Guaira and surrounding areas now face critical shortages of power and water, leaving thousands homeless. Officials confirm nearly 200 people have died and at least 1,000 others have been injured. Peroza emphasized that Venezuela lacks the infrastructure and resources to handle a disaster of this magnitude, calling for immediate international assistance. The United States has committed to sending rescue crews to support recovery efforts.
Peroza highlighted the challenges facing rescue workers operating in the disaster zone. Most buildings in the area are constructed from concrete and metal, making rescue efforts extremely difficult without proper equipment. "How can you help with your bare hands?" he asked, noting that residents are forced to rely on faith and prayer while awaiting international support. When asked if he considers his mother's survival a miracle, Peroza responded without hesitation: "Yeah, it's absolutely a miracle." He expressed deep concern for the thousands of other survivors facing similar circumstances, describing the building where his mother lived as having 12 to 15 floors that likely housed about 100 families.
Rather than traveling to Venezuela, Peroza believes he can provide more meaningful assistance from Florida. With no commercial activity expected in the coming days and limited employment opportunities, he plans to help his mother secure housing from afar. He intends to continue operating his food truck while working to support his country's recovery. "I believe this is part of our culture, get over the circumstances, and I think this is the way we can help," Peroza said. "We pray for Venezuela, but we work for Venezuela too, because it's not about my mom, it's no longer about us, it's about our people down there."