Venezuela awards highest honor to Dominican Republic for earthquake aid

Venezuela granted the Dominican Republic its highest decoration, the Order Hero of Venezuela (first class), for the humanitarian assistance provided after the devastating earthquakes of June 24. The award was conveyed by Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez in a letter to President Luis Abinader, praising the "timely, determined and generous" aid as a testament to bilateral friendship and cooperation Source: elcaribedr. The recognition was presented during a ceremony at which President Abinader also decorated the 19 members of the Dominican rescue mission "Quisqueya Solidaria 2026" with the Medalla al Mérito (Distintivo Verde al Valor de la Solidaridad) Source: hoydo. The rescue team, which included personnel from the Armed Forces, Civil Defense, and the Emergency Operations Center (COE), worked tirelessly in search-and-rescue operations in collapsed structures Source: eldiado. President Abinader called them "Dominican heroes" and stated, "You raised the Dominican flag high in that brother nation, before that tragedy" Source: diariolibree. While most reports did not specify casualties, Listín Diario reported that the double earthquake killed more than 4,900 people Source: listindiario. The government also thanked the medical personnel still working in temporary hospitals in the affected area Source: infobae. The decoration reflects the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries through humanitarian cooperation.