The death toll from a series of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to at least 235, with over 4,300 injured and thousands reported missing. U.S. military leadership has arrived in Caracas to help coordinate relief efforts following the catastrophic events.
Two magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, approximately 120 miles west of the capital, Caracas. The death toll is expected to continue rising as rescue operations proceed.
Dramatic images have emerged of rescue efforts, including a woman pulled alive from under a cement slab. Injured individuals, including children, have been seen being extracted from rubble.
U.S. Southern Command announced that U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived in Caracas on Thursday to oversee the Department of Defense's support for Venezuela's earthquake relief efforts. The Trump administration has activated a government-wide humanitarian response, pledging $150 million in aid and deploying U.S. Navy warships to assist in rescue operations. Maj. Gen. Jarrard is working with partners to coordinate the U.S. military's logistical and operational capabilities for the rapid movement of personnel, equipment, and humanitarian assistance.
SOUTHCOM stated that assigned U.S. military forces will use aircraft to provide specialized mobility services and support U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and partners assessing damage and delivering critical aid. Venezuela's interim government, led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formally requested American assistance.
The coastal region of La Guaira, north of Caracas, sustained some of the heaviest damage and casualties. The region's main airport was closed due to damage, which has complicated aid delivery efforts. Authorities are diverting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a "disaster zone."
Venezuelan authorities appealed to businesses for heavy construction equipment to aid in rescue operations. "We hope to rescue as many living people as possible," Rodríguez said.