Countries across the Americas and Europe pledged humanitarian assistance and rescue support after powerful earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700 in Venezuela….reports Asian Lite News Desk
World leaders on Thursday expressed solidarity with Venezuela and pledged humanitarian assistance after two powerful earthquakes struck the South American nation, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700.
Governments across the Americas and Europe offered rescue teams, medical personnel and emergency supplies as Venezuela declared a nationwide State of Emergency following the twin earthquakes.
US President Donald Trump said Washington stood ready to provide immediate assistance and had directed federal agencies to prepare for a rapid response.
“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! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced support for Venezuela, saying her government had already begun preparing humanitarian assistance.
“Our solidarity with the people of Venezuela. The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the government of the brother country, and I have already instructed the preparation of the necessary aid. For now, they have requested support with specialised personnel in rescue and health. Mexico is always and will be in solidarity,” she posted on X.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said his country had offered assistance through diplomatic channels and was ready to deploy 300 rescuers and paramedics along with 50 tonnes of equipment, medicines and emergency supplies to Caracas.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also extended condolences to the Venezuelan people.
“All my support, and that of Spain, to the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes of this evening. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he wrote on X.
Ecuador President Daniel Noboa said he had ordered the immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid, stressing that humanitarian considerations should transcend political differences.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla expressed condolences over the loss of life and said Cuban medical personnel stationed in Venezuela had been fully mobilised to assist those affected.
Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi also expressed solidarity with Venezuela and said his government was prepared to provide assistance as required.
The Chilean government issued a statement offering humanitarian and rescue assistance while expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.
According to Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, at least 32 people have been confirmed dead and more than 700 injured following the earthquakes. She said the casualty figures did not yet include the coastal state of La Guaira, where communications had been severely disrupted.
Rodriguez described La Guaira as a “disaster zone”, saying dozens of buildings had collapsed.
The United States Geological Survey reported that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the coastal town of Moron at 2204 GMT on Wednesday, followed one minute later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake. Both earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, increasing their destructive impact.
In response to the disaster, Rodriguez declared a nationwide State of Emergency.
“Following the strong earthquakes recorded this afternoon in the country, we have declared a State of Emergency throughout the national territory. We call on all citizens to remain alert, safe, and as calm as possible,” she said.
Emergency responders continue search and rescue operations across the affected regions as authorities assess the full scale of the destruction and the international community mobilises assistance for the disaster hit nation.
