World sends help as Venezuela reels from twin temblors
Desperate Venezuelans raced Thursday to find and rescue loved ones trapped alive beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two major earthquakes that killed at least 235 people.
Powerful aftershocks could still be felt Thursday, and Health Minister Carlos Alvarado reported the death toll had risen to at least 235, with around 4,300 people injured.
Offers of rescue support, aid and condolences poured into the country on Thursday. United Nations-certified rescuers will help search for quake survivors, interim President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised message.
Spain and France were sending dozens of specialists, and Germany promised six military transport planes.
Switzerland mobilized 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs, and 18 tons of equipment to be sent to Venezuela as soon as possible.
Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma announced a 2-million-euro aid package to deploy a search-and-rescue team, while the Czech Republic said its team was preparing to fly in.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it had released $2.5 million to support recovery efforts.
Pope Leo XIV sent “initial” emergency aid of 100,000 euros ($114,000) to Venezuela, the Vatican announced.
‘New great friends’
The United States said it was deploying two warships, transport planes, and helicopters and mobilizing $150 million in aid.
“We will be there for our new and great friends,” said US President Donald Trump. The US military ousted and captured Nicolas Maduro in January and Venezuela now operates under the close watch of Washington.
China said it was “willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” according to foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei voiced “Iran’s readiness to provide any assistance required in relief and rescue operations.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the dispatch of a field hospital to Venezuela, as well as 36 firefighters and several rescue and communications specialists via two flights on Friday and Saturday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was dispatching a military team of rescuers and medical personnel to Venezuela and would send further assistance if necessary.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics and 50 tons of equipment, medicines and basic supplies.
‘In solidarity’
Cuban health workers were already “fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population,” said Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast said he was dispatching humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Venezuela.
Colombia, which also felt the quakes, will send more than 60 rescuers and 12 tons of humanitarian aid to its neighbor, its disaster management agency said.
Argentina, Costa Rica, and Uruguay also expressed solidarity, while Ecuador and the Dominican Republic both said they had readied aid to send.
Japan offered “sincere condolences to those affected” in Venezuela. The east Asian nation was rocked by a magnitude 7.2 quake itself on Thursday, escaping with no major damage.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered “full support” to the Venezuelan people, a sentiment echoed by Italian leader Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s Friedrich Merz.
The French government said it stood “in solidarity” with the Venezuelan people before confirming that its embassy in Caracas had been damaged in the disaster.
Two warring nations, Ukraine and Russia, also sent their condolences without specific aid offers.
The European Union said it had activated its satellite surveillance system, with aid commissioner Hadja Lahbib writing online: “We stand ready to step up assistance.”
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