A two-year-old boy, Kleiber Moran, has been pulled alive from the rubble of his home in Venezuela's northern La Guaira state, six days after major earthquakes struck the region. Jordanian rescuers successfully extracted the child early Tuesday morning, offering a glimmer of hope as the death toll from last Wednesday's tremors continues to climb. Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez hailed the rescue as a source of hope for the nation.

The boy's aunt, 23-year-old Andreína Sarmiento, spoke to the BBC from the hospital in the capital, Caracas, where Kleiber is recovering. She expressed immense relief and joy at being reunited with her nephew, stating her intention to care for him with a "mother's warmth" until his parents, who remain missing, are found. "I'm praying a lot to God to give me strength because he is only two years old and I am not a mother," Sarmiento said, holding Kleiber's hand.

Sarmiento described the emotional toll of the situation, particularly the absence of her sister, Ana Luz, Kleiber's mother. "It hurts me a lot because my sister always used to tell me that he is my son, and now it's like she's handing him over to me and saying 'this is your son, he is your responsibility,'" she recounted. When a friend called to inform her of Kleiber's rescue, Sarmiento said she collapsed in shock and tears before rushing to meet him.

Kleiber was found in a state of shock but has shown remarkable recovery. Initially screaming upon arrival at the hospital, he slept through the night and has since stabilized. "Today he's giving me little kisses, he talks to me, he tells me where it hurts," Sarmiento said, visibly moved. Remarkably, the two-year-old sustained no fractures, only minor scratches on his arms and legs, a fact that brought a broad smile to his aunt's face.

Despite the joy of Kleiber's survival, the continued absence of Ana Luz and Kleiber's father, Carlos, weighs heavily on Sarmiento. She and her older sister shared an exceptionally close bond, communicating daily via video calls. Ana Luz was rarely without Kleiber, doting on his every need. "Wherever she went, her son went too. Whatever Kleiber wanted, she would please him," Sarmiento recalled.

Rescuers from Jordan were ultimately successful in reaching Kleiber, though Sarmiento mentioned that UK rescue teams had also attempted to locate him prior to the successful operation. The family photo shows Kleiber with his parents, both of whom are still unaccounted for.

Kleiber is currently in a hospital ward with other children who survived the earthquakes, a testament to the devastating impact of the disaster. The close-knit relationship between Sarmiento and her sister highlights the personal tragedy unfolding amidst the broader crisis, with the hope of finding Ana Luz and Carlos remaining paramount.

Further details on the ongoing search efforts for other missing individuals and the full extent of the earthquake's damage in Venezuela are still emerging. The nation grapples with the aftermath, with stories like Kleiber's offering rare moments of solace.