President Donald Trump on Thursday pledged a U.S. aid response for Venezuela after the nation was rocked by two devastating earthquakes outside the capital of Caracas.
The rare “doublet” earthquakes occurred off Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday evening. A magnitude 7.2 foreshock was followed seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock, the strongest in the country in more than a century.
The events affected areas including Caracas and La Guaira, which caused several building collapses and prompted a state of emergency declaration by interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
President Trump pledged U.S. support in a statement not long after the quakes struck. “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. Initial reports are not good,” the president said.
In a related post, he noted that the United States stands “ready, willing, and able to help.”
U.S. officials have begun mobilizing assistance in coordination with Venezuela’s interim government. The State Department activated a disaster assistance team and task force, with plans made for the deployment of search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian supplies during the initial response period. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the United States is “in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance.”
Video circulating from La Guaira, Venezuela, showing the aftermath of the devastation caused by powerful earthquakes.
Thousands of people are feared dead in the earthquakes, according to the USGS. pic.twitter.com/GRAVkYduXT
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that search and rescue teams from locations including Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles would be sent. He noted discussions with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and stated that the Department of Defense would support logistics due to damage at Caracas airport.
Rubio described the overall U.S. response as one that “will be big, it’ll be fast, and it’ll be effective,” reflecting the administration’s commitment.
The earthquakes caused significant physical impacts. Multiple buildings collapsed or sustained damage, with reports of approximately 250 structures affected, primarily in La Guaira.
At least 138 aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the initial quakes, which has complicated rescue operations. Damage to roads and key infrastructure in affected regions has further hindered rescue efforts.
According to Venezuelan officials, including National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez and interim President Delcy Rodríguez, the confirmed death toll stands at least 188 as of Thursday evening. More than 1,500 people have been reported injured, while at least 150 are missing as of this report.
