The United States' response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24, which claimed over 2,600 lives, has been effective despite operating without the direct lead of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to a former senior aid official. Max Primorac, a former head of USAID and federal lead for global disaster response under previous administrations, argues that criticisms suggesting the Trump administration mishandled the crisis due to changes in USAID's role are misplaced.
Primorac asserts that the essential components of a successful emergency response remain operational. These include Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), regional support hubs, pre-positioned warehousing for aid, search-and-rescue capabilities, and crucial support from the Department of Defense for military aircraft, communications, logistics, and security. A 300-person team was deployed within hours of the earthquakes, accompanied by a commitment of $300 million in aid, which Primorac describes as a substantial amount aligned with a commitment to support Venezuela.
He further contends that the Trump administration's approach to foreign aid prioritizes alignment with American interests and values, contrasting it with what he characterizes as the Biden administration's use of USAID to promote certain social ideas. The author suggests that the removal of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in January was instrumental in enabling the U.S. response, as it allowed for the restoration of oil revenues and created an environment where U.S. military assets could operate freely.
The author posits that nations such as China, Russia, and Iran, unlike the United States, would not provide comparable humanitarian aid. The current U.S. approach, he argues, has helped mitigate the potential for further disaster, such as hunger and disease, and prevented destabilizing mass migration to neighboring countries. This response, coupled with the ongoing transition to democratic self-governance, is seen as a positive outcome. The article notes that remnants of the former regime's corruption, including the issuance of permits for non-earthquake-resistant buildings, are hindering reconstruction efforts. The White House is positioned to assist in guiding Venezuela toward democratic elections and economic reforms, integrating the country back into the hemisphere's democratic framework. Primorac concludes that critics should acknowledge the effectiveness of the current aid delivery model.