U.S. Support for Venezuela Amid Earthquake Crisis

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Venezuela National Day, which marked the 215th anniversary of Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence. He used this occasion to commend the Trump administration’s response to the recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. These earthquakes resulted in thousands of deaths.

In his statement, Rubio expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they endured the aftermath of the twin earthquakes. “On behalf of the United States of America, I join the people of Venezuela as they mark this national day. We hold in our hearts and are united in prayer for the Venezuelans affected by the recent devastating earthquakes. Their courage and unity in the face of tragedy reflect the Venezuelan people’s enduring resilient spirit,” Rubio said.

The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck on June 24, targeting the coastal area of La Guaira, north of Caracas. The death toll has approached 3,000, with ongoing rescue operations. U.S. rescue teams are among those assisting in these efforts, as highlighted by Rubio.

“The Trump administration’s swift response efforts, including the activation of urban search and rescue teams, demonstrate our support for a full recovery,” Rubio stated. “Amid this difficult time, we look forward to continuing the work towards a stable, prosperous, and democratic Venezuela aligned with the United States.”

International Rescue Teams Start Wrapping Up Operations

By Saturday, the Venezuelan government confirmed the death toll at 2,954, with potential for further increase. Though search efforts are ending, more than 41,000 people remain missing, based on unofficial reports from Reuters.

The earthquakes compounded the struggles of millions already impacted by economic mismanagement under Nicolas Maduro’s regime. The catastrophe left an estimated 16,000 people homeless. Criticism has risen against the Venezuelan government’s slow rescue response, while local communities have contributed aid to La Guaira’s victims.

“The president said that help arrived quickly but it wasn’t like that. We’ve gotten help from regular people,” Miguel Poleo, a volunteer in La Guaira, told Reuters.

U.S. Assistance to Venezuela

President Donald Trump had declared himself “in charge” of Venezuela, pledging improvements following Maduro’s arrest. However, six months later, Venezuela remains struggling under new leadership. The country faces high national debt, restricting access to financial markets, with no clear timeline for democratic elections.

Following the earthquake, Trump promised ongoing U.S. support. The Department of State, led by Rubio, quickly deployed teams to Venezuela for search and recovery. These efforts included providing aerial imagery for damage assessment and collaborating with various organizations for rescue support.

Conversely, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is not involved, having been shut down by Trump nearly a year ago. Prior to its closure, USAID was recognized as a significant humanitarian assistance provider globally.