US Deploys 1,700 Troops in Venezuela for Earthquake Relief Operations

The United States military has deployed more than 900 soldiers to Venezuela, alongside an additional 800 personnel stationed at bases in Puerto Rico and Curaçao, as part of relief operations responding to the devastating earthquake that struck the country last week.

General Francis Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command, told Reuters that American forces have been involved in search and rescue missions, airport management, and the provision of humanitarian aid. Additionally, MQ-9 Reaper drones were utilized to monitor the extent of the damage.

This military deployment marks a significant shift in the relations between the two countries, occurring months after the US military detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to the United States.

Venezuela is currently experiencing one of the most severe natural disasters in its recent history, following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck various regions of the country. These events caused extensive destruction and significant loss of life, while warnings have increased about a worsening humanitarian crisis in the coming days due to limited local response capabilities and the expanding scope of the damage.

Internationally, 27 countries have quickly provided urgent humanitarian and logistical assistance in what is among the broadest external support efforts Venezuela has seen in recent years. The United States has led these efforts through air, sea, and land operations, deploying specialized rescue teams, military engineers, and logistical support units.

Field data indicate that US forces have played a central role in reopening relief routes and partially restoring critical infrastructure, including the Simón Bolívar Airport. Naval units have also been deployed along the affected coastlines to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian supplies.