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The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, to convey Washington's support for the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes that shook the northern part of the country on Wednesday, June 24.
It was Rodríguez herself who confirmed the contact through her account on X, directly quoting Rubio's previous message: "I have had a phone call with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who has expressed his solidarity and support for the Venezuelan people during these difficult times for our nation."
Minutes earlier, Rubio had posted on his official account a message of condolences in which he announced the immediate deployment of humanitarian resources: "The United States extends its deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes. Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, the injured, and the brave rescue workers who are tirelessly working."
The Secretary of State also specified that, by direct instruction from President Donald Trump, the Department of State would immediately send search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.
Rodríguez publicly expressed gratitude for the gesture of the U.S. administration with words that would have seemed unthinkable under Nicolás Maduro's government: "We thank President Donald Trump and his administration for their continuous contact with Venezuelan authorities, providing support and solidarity to our people in the face of the tragedy that has mourned us. Venezuela will never forget the hand extended to our people during these very difficult times."
The call comes in the context of a deeply transformed bilateral relationship.
After Maduro's capture in January 2026, Rodríguez assumed the acting presidency and adopted a pragmatic stance towards Washington.
Both countries formally reestablished diplomatic relations in March 2026 and signed an agreement for the trade of 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil.
In April 2026, the U.S. lifted the sanctions that were imposed on Rodríguez herself.
The earthquakes that prompted diplomatic contact occurred on Wednesday at 6:04 PM local time, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 separated by just 39 seconds, with epicenters in the states of Carabobo and Yaracuy.
The updated official toll reports 164 dead and 971 injured, although unverified sources independently raise the figures to 236 dead and over 2,000 injured.
The United States Geological Survey issued a maximum Red Alert and estimated a 42% to 44% probability that the number of fatalities will exceed 10,000 people, with projected economic losses ranging from 1% to 20% of Venezuela's GDP.
Trump also spoke on Truth Social, describing the earthquakes as "massive in scale" and referring to the Venezuelans as "our new and great friends," in a statement that encapsulates the diplomatic shift between the two nations.
In addition to the United States, countries such as France, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Qatar, among others, provided assistance, while the UN activated a red alert and coordinated international urban rescue teams.
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