Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's interior minister who is wanted by the U.S. on narco-terrorism charges, was filmed confronting and berating American earthquake rescue personnel in Venezuela, as the nation grappled with the aftermath of twin earthquakes that have killed more than 1,700 people.
The incident occurred as U.S. Marines and civilian search and rescue teams deployed to aid in the recovery efforts following the 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude tremors that struck on Wednesday evening. Videos circulating on social media show Cabello, who has a $25 million bounty on his head from U.S. authorities, shouting and gesturing animatedly at a group identified as American rescuers.
One exchange captured in the footage shows a rescuer responding to Cabello, stating, "But there’s someone right over there that we’re trying to help. You don’t want us to help them?"
U.S. officials confirmed that at least three Americans were killed in the earthquakes and a dozen more are missing. The catastrophe has injured 5,000 people and affected 23,000, according to Venezuelan authorities.
Members of the elite USA-01 team, who mobilized from Virginia, successfully rescued a nine-month-old baby and her mother who had been trapped for nearly three days.
Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.), a former firefighter, called for Cabello's apprehension, tweeting, "While the US increases its presence in #Venezuela, we should pick-up thug Diosdado Cabello and bring him to justice so he can stop impeding the distribution of aid to those impacted by the earthquake."
Cabello is accused by the U.S. of leading the Cartel of the Suns drug trafficking network, an organization allegedly involving high-ranking Venezuelan officials and military officers. He has served as Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace since 2024 and is considered a primary enforcer of state repression, directing the country's police and intelligence services. He remains influential even after President Nicolás Maduro's capture by U.S. forces this year, reportedly serving as a key lieutenant to acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez.
The fallout from the earthquakes has exposed public anger towards the government's response, with residents accusing military personnel of providing little assistance. Venezuelan pollster Ruben Chirinos noted that "the anger toward the government’s response is on another level," citing obstruction of aid and inaction by the armed forces as key sources of frustration.