00:00A miracle that defies time unfolded in Venezuela after being buried under the rubble for eight days
00:05and following more than 80 hours of uninterrupted work.
00:10A 47-year-old man was rescued alive.
00:12The operation was led by Chile and involved at least eight other countries.
00:17Here's Madeleine Garcia with the story.
00:22The first glimmer of hope came from Costa Rica.
00:26Rescuers heard Hernán's voice as he clung to life.
00:30In seconds, everything changed.
00:32Every team sprung into action with a single goal, to get him out alive.
00:40But first, it had to be confirmed.
00:42Spain, with its listening teams, did just that.
00:46Hernán was still alive.
00:48So, it was time to get to work.
00:50The debris had to be cleared away.
00:52Throughout Venezuela, civil protection, firefighters, and the Red Cross worked nonstop,
00:57while the armed forces coordinated every movement.
01:02The decision was unanimous.
01:04Chile would lead the operation.
01:06Joining it were at least eight countries united by a common cause, Hernán.
01:14The first step was crucial, stopping machines and any work in the vicinity.
01:18Portugal ensured absolute silence to prevent a collapse.
01:23The race against time began.
01:25Hernán was trapped at the guard post where he worked, protected only by a life space.
01:31A Chilean camera allowed them to see him.
01:34From the other side, they gave him water.
01:36It was the first contact, the first sign of resistance.
01:40And that's how they kept track of him.
01:44Venezuelan military officials obtained the maps.
01:47On them, the route to life was plotted.
01:50Everything was ready, until a convoy blocked the access.
01:54They had to replan everything.
01:56A new route, more hours, more risk.
01:59It had already been over 48 hours, and the structure was threatening to collapse.
02:05They entered from this side, underneath the beam, managed to climb down and reach him,
02:10and that's where the tube that's keeping him alive was inserted.
02:14And during yesterday's work, which involved enlarging the space to be able to remove him,
02:19this beam here, which is under heavy load, came down, putting the entire operation at risk.
02:26The decision was made to go down this way, so if he's on his way, and we're already nearing the
02:31point.
02:32They started almost from scratch.
02:35Time was running out, and fatigue was setting in.
02:39Outside, the wait seemed endless for the journalists, eager to break the good news,
02:43but the rescue was taking longer than expected.
02:51Last day, they came up against one last slab they had to break through.
02:55They looked for the right tool, and Chile had it.
02:58The American rescuers ran.
03:00They were racing against the clock, while his wife spoke of love, as if her words were keeping him alive.
03:06It's just that we're so close.
03:08We have two children.
03:10The 10-year-old is very happy because they found his dad alive.
03:14In fact, he would tell me,
03:15Mom, don't lose faith.
03:17Have faith.
03:17I feel it.
03:18I sense it.
03:19My dad is alive, waiting to be rescued.
03:21And that's how it was, and he held on like a warrior.
03:26And finally, it happened.
03:28Hernán came out, alive.
03:30They rescued him from the rubble, safe and sound.
03:38Outside, everything was waiting for him.
03:41Tears, hugs, relief.
03:43Life prevailing.
03:46I'm proud of this success.
03:50It is an honor to have led this rescue at the request of the local authorities.
03:57It was a tremendous responsibility.
04:00I am glad that rescuers from the United States, Mexico, Portugal, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Venezuela participated, and that
04:11it resulted in a successful rescue.
04:15The miracle has happened.
04:17Hernán is out.
04:18He is alive.
04:18He is healthy.
04:19And he is the hope of all Venezuelans.
04:22The miracle has happened.
04:24Hernán is out.
04:25He is alive.
04:25He is healthy.
04:26And he is the hope of all Venezuelans.
04:30A miracle.
04:31Eight days trapped.
04:33Nearly 100 hours of work.
04:35Today, a Venezuelan man returns home.
04:38Hernán is one of the more than 6,000 people rescued in this tragedy in La Guaira State.
04:42And he also symbolizes the hope and unity of all the rescuers who have come to save lives in Venezuela.
