The United States military is mobilizing rapidly to deliver humanitarian assistance to Venezuela after a pair of powerful earthquakes struck the country overnight, leaving more than 160 dead and hundreds injured. The U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) announced Thursday that, under orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, its forces are leveraging what it called “unmatched airlift, logistics and lifesaving capabilities” to support the Venezuelan government’s response.
Southcom, which oversees American military operations in Central and South America, said it has stood up an operational planning team that includes specialists from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. These experts are advising commanders on disaster relief planning and mission-critical decisions, the command stated. The military is also coordinating with regional allies and partners who have pledged to join the international relief effort.
The quakes struck on Wednesday, with the first registering a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter Scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Its epicenter was near San Felipe, a city west of Caracas. A second tremor, measured at 7.5 magnitude, followed shortly after. Video footage shared on social media showed buildings collapsing in the capital, Caracas, as rescue crews worked through the night to search for survivors.
As of Thursday, at least 164 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 others injured, according to Venezuelan authorities. Rescue operations have intensified as crews dig through rubble in hopes of finding more survivors.
The U.S. response comes months after American forces successfully captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which led to a thaw in relations between Washington and Caracas under the leadership of Delcy Rodríguez, a former Maduro ally. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday he had spoken with Rodríguez and confirmed that U.S. rescue teams are being dispatched.
President Donald Trump also weighed in late Wednesday, writing on Truth Social: “The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!”
The Pentagon issued a statement Thursday emphasizing that “the Department of War stands ready to support the Government of Venezuela and the U.S. Department of State as it leads the U.S. Government’s response to yesterday’s devastating earthquakes.”
This deployment marks a significant test of the renewed diplomatic ties between the two nations, which have been strained for years but have seen cautious cooperation since Maduro’s capture. The aid mission also underscores the Pentagon’s ability to project humanitarian power in the region, even as U.S. forces remain engaged in other global hotspots.
For more on the broader political context, see our coverage of Trump’s offer of relief to Venezuela and the shifting dynamics in U.S.-Venezuela relations. Additionally, the Trump administration’s recent domestic events continue to draw attention away from foreign policy crises.
