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Two powerful earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck central and western Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The United States quickly announced an immediate deployment of rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
The US Geological Survey recorded two quakes just 39 seconds apart, with epicenters near Montalbán. Widespread building collapses occurred in Caracas and the port city of La Guaira, where communications are down and damage assessments are incomplete. Source: elnacionalve
President Donald Trump ordered all agencies to prepare assistance, declaring on Truth Social: "The United States is ready, willing, and able to help." Source: infobae Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed with a public announcement on X, stating that by President Trump's instruction, the State Dept is "deploying immediately search and rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela." Source: elnacionalve Rubio also spoke directly with interim President Delcy Rodríguez to coordinate the response. Source: infobae Deputy Secretary Jeremy Lewin confirmed the activation of a disaster assistance team and a task force to manage aid. Source: infobae
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez gave an initial toll of 32 dead and over 700 injured, warning that figures do not yet include La Guaira, the hardest-hit area. Rescue crews are digging through rubble in Chacao, Caracas. Source: elnacionalve Rodríguez thanked the US for its support. Source: infobae
“By instruction of President Trump, the Department of State is deploying immediately search and rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”
“The two great earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The United States is ready, willing, and able to help.”
“We are going to rescue the people who are trapped in collapsed buildings and homes.”
“Our hearts are with all who have lost loved ones, with the injured, and with the brave rescue workers.”
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