Death toll rises to at least 20 in western Venezuela floods

At least 20 people have died in the western Venezuelan state of Merida after intense rainstorms that caused mudslides and rivers to overflow. State Gov. Ramon Guevara said earlier that more than 1,200 houses had been destroyed and 17 people remained missing as rescue workers searched the wreck. Photos shared on social media showed cars being swept down streets, buildings and businesses filled with mud and mudslides, leaving boulders strewn across roads. Neither the state nor local governments have the resources to help the affected areas, he said, but he had left infrastructure specialists to work with Caracas on repairing buildings and roads.