The U.S. military is helping plan the overall American government’s humanitarian relief mission to Venezuela after the country was rocked by magnitude 7.1- and 7.5 earthquakes on Wednesday, according to U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM.
“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis,” according to a SOUTHCOM statement posted on social media.
The statement did not include any information about whether the U.S. troops would be sent to Venezuela for a humanitarian and disaster relief mission. At the direction of the Pentagon, the combatant command is currently working with the State Department to support earthquake relief efforts, which have left at least 164 people dead, the statement said.
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“The command has established an operational planning team that includes experienced subject matter experts from the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, who are advising staff and leadership responsible for disaster relief planning and mission-related decisions,” SOUTHCOM shared in a Thursday social media post. “The command has also initiated close coordination with other partners and allies in the region who have pledged to join the international assistance underway to aid the people of Venezuela in their time of need.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. conducted a special operations mission to capture Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. After he was transported to New York City and charged with narco-trafficking, Delcy Rodríguez has served as the country’s acting president.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States “stand ready, willing, and able” to help Venezuela, adding that he had “instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly.”
The State Department has mobilized a task force to coordinate and deliver disaster relief to Venezuela, Jeremy Lewin, the department official in charge of humanitarian affairs, wrote in a Wednesday social media post.
“Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster,” Lewin wrote.
