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Photos: Venezuelans rake through toxic waters for treasure, survival

Reeling under an economy in freefall and desperate to bring food to the table, Venezuelans scavenge for a bit of treasure in the dirty infected waters of the Guaire river risking infections and death.

Updated on: Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM IST

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David Garcia, 19, keeps his head barely above water raking the bottom of the Guaire River in search of valuables to sell in Caracas. Still in his first week working in the toxic, drain fed waters he said that his family was unaware this was how he was trying to put food on the table. He is one among many in crisis-hit Venezuela driven to scavenging in this polluted river. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

David Garcia, 19, keeps his head barely above water raking the bottom of the Guaire River in search of valuables to sell in Caracas. Still in his first week working in the toxic, drain fed waters he said that his family was unaware this was how he was trying to put food on the table. He is one among many in crisis-hit Venezuela driven to scavenging in this polluted river. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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A scavenger shows his haul from the Guaire river bottom, where men search for bits of precious metal to cash in for food. Nearly two decades of socialist rule have seen Venezuela’s food and oil production plummet amid poor management of state resources, and a drop in world crude prices has driven many to desperate means for livelihoods. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

A scavenger shows his haul from the Guaire river bottom, where men search for bits of precious metal to cash in for food. Nearly two decades of socialist rule have seen Venezuela’s food and oil production plummet amid poor management of state resources, and a drop in world crude prices has driven many to desperate means for livelihoods. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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Alongside other scavengers, Angel Villanueva (R) looks for pieces of gold and valuables in the debris he scooped up from the riverbed. This work requires constant awareness of the fact that the mountains surrounding Caracas could burst at any time, leaving minutes to get out — or be washed away to one’s death. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

Alongside other scavengers, Angel Villanueva (R) looks for pieces of gold and valuables in the debris he scooped up from the riverbed. This work requires constant awareness of the fact that the mountains surrounding Caracas could burst at any time, leaving minutes to get out — or be washed away to one’s death. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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Images of Venezuelans eating from garbage piles have come to symbolize the deepening economic crisis. Less visible are the young men who comb these waters to feed families. At times playing, shirtless and laughing in groups, the sun reflects off their backs as they scoop up rocks and toss them aside in waters that are also drains for sewage and industrial waste. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

Images of Venezuelans eating from garbage piles have come to symbolize the deepening economic crisis. Less visible are the young men who comb these waters to feed families. At times playing, shirtless and laughing in groups, the sun reflects off their backs as they scoop up rocks and toss them aside in waters that are also drains for sewage and industrial waste. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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A river scavenger shows fingers wrapped with scotch tape, as he digs for valuables. Scavengers say they often cut their fingers on the river’s jagged bottom and their fingers get infected. Calls to clean up the river and millions already spent have had no result on its health. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

A river scavenger shows fingers wrapped with scotch tape, as he digs for valuables. Scavengers say they often cut their fingers on the river’s jagged bottom and their fingers get infected. Calls to clean up the river and millions already spent have had no result on its health. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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Douglas (C) holds a sack in the Guaire as he and others pull mud up from the riverbed to sift for treasure. The river and its scavengers go largely unnoticed by Caracas residents speeding by on the city’s main highway, blocked from view by concrete barriers. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

Douglas (C) holds a sack in the Guaire as he and others pull mud up from the riverbed to sift for treasure. The river and its scavengers go largely unnoticed by Caracas residents speeding by on the city’s main highway, blocked from view by concrete barriers. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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A composite shows Angel Villanueva at home, and in the river where he uses a metal bar to pry the bottom of the waterway. The 25-year-old turned to the river six months ago after losing his job. He earns upto $20 a day scavenging compared to the less than $7 monthly minimum wage for public employees at black market exchange rates. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

A composite shows Angel Villanueva at home, and in the river where he uses a metal bar to pry the bottom of the waterway. The 25-year-old turned to the river six months ago after losing his job. He earns upto $20 a day scavenging compared to the less than $7 monthly minimum wage for public employees at black market exchange rates. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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Angel Villanueva (C) breaks up mud at the bottom of Guaire in Caracas. He says people don’t want to touch him, or come near because the toxic odour from Guaire’s waters, reminiscent of fuel lingers on his body. They fear an infection from his being in the river, but despite jibes he remains hooked. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

Angel Villanueva (C) breaks up mud at the bottom of Guaire in Caracas. He says people don’t want to touch him, or come near because the toxic odour from Guaire’s waters, reminiscent of fuel lingers on his body. They fear an infection from his being in the river, but despite jibes he remains hooked. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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A medicine bottle hangs from a scavenger’s neck, where he keeps the small pieces of gold and other finds from the water. The day’s haul -- a keychain and an old coin -- is taken to the Bolivar Plaza, where vendors offer cash for gold. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

A medicine bottle hangs from a scavenger’s neck, where he keeps the small pieces of gold and other finds from the water. The day’s haul -- a keychain and an old coin -- is taken to the Bolivar Plaza, where vendors offer cash for gold. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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David Garcia, smokes a cigarette during a break on his first week of scavenging. Scavengers like David and Angel dream of better jobs, or leaving Venezuela for better prospects like thousands others. But for now they test their luck scavenging in the Guaire. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

Updated on Jan 10, 2018 3:54 PM

David Garcia, smokes a cigarette during a break on his first week of scavenging. Scavengers like David and Angel dream of better jobs, or leaving Venezuela for better prospects like thousands others. But for now they test their luck scavenging in the Guaire. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

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