The United States military has commenced relief operations in Venezuela, responding to a series of deadly earthquakes that struck the South American nation last week.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed on Sunday that American military assets are continuing to arrive in Venezuela. These deployments are part of ongoing U.S. earthquake relief efforts, initiated at SOUTHCOM's directive, following a request from the Venezuelan government and under the leadership of the U.S. State Department.
SOUTHCOM emphasized that its operations are entirely self-sufficient, with deployed personnel requiring no local resources as they diligently work to provide crucial aid to the Venezuelan populace.
Humanitarian Response Underway
Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez reported on Sunday that the death toll from the seismic events had tragically reached 1,450 individuals.
In a Sunday post on X, SOUTHCOM announced, "Marines on the ground, saving lives." The statement further detailed that U.S. Marines in Venezuela are actively supporting both U.S. and international first responders in search and rescue operations within the regions most severely impacted by the earthquakes.
The post, which included several images, also noted that the Department of War (referring to the U.S. Department of Defense) is collaborating closely with the State Department to bolster earthquake relief initiatives and deliver assistance to the Venezuelan communities most in need. "At the direction of #SOUTHCOM, U.S. military forces are supporting U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes," the statement clarified.
Search and Rescue Efforts Intensify
In a separate post on X, SOUTHCOM highlighted the urgency of the situation: "Racing against the clock to save lives in Venezuela: First responders assist a U.S. Marine climbing through rubble during a search for survivors in earthquake-damaged structures." The command reiterated that these teams are operating continuously, day and night, to support international search and rescue missions across the hardest-hit communities.