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The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) published an official update on Monday regarding the U.S. military deployment in Venezuela, where multiple branches of the Armed Forces are working on the humanitarian response following the devastating earthquakes of June 24.
According to the official statement from SOUTHCOM, U.S. military capabilities continue to arrive in the country "to support earthquake relief efforts requested by the Venezuelan government and led by the Department of State."
Six C-17 Globemaster Air Force planes are scheduled to arrive this Monday, transporting a Marine Combat Logistics Company from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, along with heavy equipment, engineering assets, and water purification capabilities.
In addition, C-17 and C-130 Hercules aircraft continue to transport personnel and equipment, while a Contingency Response Element consisting of approximately 100 aviators with airport management experience assists Venezuelan authorities in increasing air traffic flow at airports near the epicenter.
The Navy ship USS Fort Lauderdale is operating in the Port of La Guaira, which is now operational, delivering supplies and essential equipment.
MV-22 Osprey helicopters from the Marine Corps are conducting missions between a logistics center in Curacao, hosted by the Netherlands, and the affected areas in Venezuela. UH-1Y Venom helicopters are conducting aerial assessments and transporting personnel from the Department of State, while CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the Army, coming from Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, provide additional transport support.
The U.S. Space Force is also involved in the operation, providing satellite imagery of damaged communities and infrastructure to prioritize rescue efforts in the most critical areas.
This is the first time in years that U.S. military personnel have operated on Venezuelan soil in a humanitarian mission coordinated with local authorities, which is historically significant given the context of the tense diplomatic relations between Washington and Nicolás Maduro's government.
The earthquakes of June 24 left 1,719 dead and 5,034 injured according to official Venezuelan figures, while the UN estimates that up to 50,000 people could be missing under the rubble.
The double earthquake, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, is the strongest recorded in Venezuela in over 125 years and impacted more than 6.76 million people.
The direct economic damages are estimated at 6.7 billion dollars, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP, with a projected total impact that could reach 20.1 billion dollars.
According to SOUTHCOM, the planning for additional military support continues "in close coordination with the Department of State, the Venezuelan government, and other partners and allies contributing to the international relief effort," and will be announced once confirmed.
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