US Mobilizes Emergency Assistance for Venezuela After Powerful Earthquakes
Search and rescue teams, medical supplies and humanitarian aid being prepared as authorities assess the scale of destruction across affected regions.
WASHINGTON, June 25: The United States has begun mobilizing emergency assistance for Venezuela after a series of strong earthquakes struck areas west of the capital, Caracas, causing significant damage and raising fears of heavy casualties.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington was in contact with Venezuelan authorities and was coordinating support efforts in response to the disaster. Describing the earthquakes as devastating, he said the US government was working closely with officials on the ground to address immediate humanitarian needs.
The powerful tremors, which hit on Wednesday afternoon, damaged buildings in Caracas and surrounding areas, leaving several structures partially collapsed. Rescue teams were deployed to search for people believed to be trapped beneath debris, while emergency services worked to reach affected communities.
Seismologists and disaster experts warned that the earthquakes could result in substantial loss of life and extensive infrastructure damage, particularly in densely populated urban centres. Authorities continued to assess the full extent of the destruction as aftershocks heightened concerns among residents.
A senior State Department official said a disaster assistance team and a dedicated task force had been activated to coordinate relief operations. The United States is preparing to dispatch specialised search-and-rescue personnel, emergency medical supplies and humanitarian assistance to support recovery efforts during the critical first phase of the response.
Officials said the aid package is being organised in coordination with Venezuela’s interim administration and international partners to ensure rapid delivery of essential resources to affected regions.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Caracas confirmed that all American diplomatic personnel and staff members were safe and accounted for following the earthquakes.
The disaster comes amid improving relations between Washington and Caracas in recent months. Diplomatic engagement has expanded following political changes in Venezuela earlier this year, leading to increased cooperation on economic and humanitarian issues.
The United States has also taken steps to encourage greater engagement with Venezuela, including support for energy sector cooperation and measures aimed at facilitating investment and economic recovery.
As emergency teams continue rescue operations, authorities remain focused on locating survivors, providing medical assistance and restoring essential services in the hardest hit areas. The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining the overall humanitarian impact of the disaster and the scale of international assistance required.
