A LATAM Airlines plane took off this Monday from Miami International Airport loaded with over 50 tons of food and essential items destined for the victims of the earthquakes that devastated Venezuela on June 24, in an operation coordinated by the organization Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and Miami-Dade County.
The aid was collected by families, businesses, religious organizations, community groups, and residents from all over Miami-Dade, an action that demonstrates "the generosity, solidarity, and commitment" of the community to support the Venezuelan people after the catastrophe, highlighted county authorities.
Among those present during the loading of the plane was the mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, who described the cargo as one of the first major humanitarian shipments to Venezuela.
"We are here with LATAM donating this flight, 50 tons of necessary items for those suffering in Venezuela," stated the mayor, adding that GEM will be responsible for distribution on the ground.
"Our hearts are with Venezuela. We stand united with Venezuela," expressed Levine Cava in a message shared on social media. "Our community has shown extraordinary generosity and humanity in the face of this tragedy. Miami-Dade stands with the Venezuelan people, and our community will continue to do everything possible to help."
The Cuban-American Dariel Fernández, Miami-Dade Tax Collector, also went to the airport and publicly expressed his gratitude for the collective effort that made the shipment possible.
"Fifty tons of humanitarian aid for the people of Venezuela. I want to thank all of you who have made this possible. You are the volunteers, you are the ones who, little by little, have been bringing your donations to Doral," Fernández declared in a video posted on his Facebook page.
"Venezuelans, we are with you. Today more than ever, the people of Miami and the world stand with you. And we will continue to send you aid to rebuild Venezuela, after 27 years of that murderous socialism-communism, and now with this earthquake, but Venezuelans are strong and will rise up," affirmed Fernández. "Today, we are all Venezuela."
The official noted that the Tax Collector's Office has 11 collection points open from Monday to Saturday, where people can make donations for the Venezuelan people. The main collection center has been the GEM headquarters in Doral, where on June 26, the lines of vehicles with donations exceeded an hour of waiting.
The response from the community in South Florida was described as extraordinary. Families, organizations, and groups from various nationalities—Venezuelans, Cubans, Colombians, Puerto Ricans, and Uruguayans—participated in the collection of donations at designated locations throughout the county.
The Cuban participation was particularly notable. A volunteer identified as Xiomara Ruiz captured the feelings of many: "We are Cubans, but we feel the same." The Cuban community in Miami also shares a personal connection to the tragedy: at least 32 nationals have been reported missing, primarily in the state of La Guaira; and so far, the deaths of a 15-year-old girl, an adult man, and a family of six members have been confirmed.
The earthquakes on June 24—measuring 7.2 and 7.5, the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900 according to the United States Geological Survey—have resulted in a toll of 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured, according to official data confirmed on Tuesday by the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez. The UN has estimated up to 50,000 missing and 6.76 million affected.
The international response includes 25 rescue teams from 17 countries and over 1,600 rescue workers deployed. The U.S. Southern Command supports operations with C-17 and C-130 aircraft, while President Donald Trump has authorized $150 million in humanitarian assistance. GEM continues to receive cash donations to purchase supplies directly in Venezuela.
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