Mexico sends military rescue team to earthquake-stricken Venezuela

Mexico has dispatched a humanitarian mission to Venezuela following two major earthquakes on June 24 that struck the country's north-central region. The contingent, consisting of 261 military personnel, 18 canine teams, and several tonnes of equipment and medical supplies, left from Santa Lucía Air Base on June 26 Source: lajornadamx. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the deployment during her morning press conference, emphasizing solidarity with the Venezuelan people Source: mileniomx.

The mission

The initial team includes 240 army soldiers, 11 air force members, and 10 National Guardsmen, along with doctors, nurses, stretcher-bearers, and search-and-rescue specialists Source: lajornadamx. They are carrying 4.4 tonnes of tools and equipment, 2.7 tonnes of medical supplies, and a later flight delivered an additional eight tonnes of medicines and four tonnes of rescue gear Source: lajornadamx. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco coordinated with Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who specifically requested rescue and health personnel Source: mileniomx.

Reaction and next steps

Sheinbaum stated that no Mexican citizens have been reported dead or injured, though monitoring continues Source: mileniomx. The Mexican team will assess needs on the ground to determine if further support is required Source: lajornadamx. The mission commander, Brigadier General Alejandro Gómez Vargas, told the troops: “We go with empathy, with willingness, and with the values that distinguish the elements of the Army” .