The Trump Administration is facing tests on several levels as it responds to aid Venezuela following a pair of strong earthquakes that have killed 1,430 people, injured more than 3,200, and left more than 3,000 homeless, according to the Venezuelan government. An unknown, likely large, number of victims have yet to be found in the rubble. The quake has damaged 1,400 buildings, including 13 hospitals.
President Trump has cut 83% of the budget of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides US foreign assistance, and has deposed Venezuela’s President (Nicolás Maduro), replacing him with a more compliant leader, while promising better relations in exchange for easing economic sanctions that crippled its economy (despite remarks that the US will "take back" Venezuela’s oil).
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is aggressively responding by rushing aid to that South American country through US Military and Disaster Response assistance.
According to NPR, Rubio promised: "We have a whole-of-government response. It'll be big; it'll be fast; and it'll be effective."
Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) teams from California, Florida & Virginia were dispatched to Venezuela, along with US Military assistance and $150 million in disaster aid, as well as what the department is describing as a “robust, life-saving response to the earthquakes”.
The US Military’s Southern Command says that:
Two C-17 Globemaster aircraft are delivering Urban Search and Rescue teams
A C-17 is delivering load-movement equipment to Caracas
USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and USS Billings (LCS 15) arrived in the waters near Venezuela
MV-22 Ospreys are transporting an airfield assessment team
Three U.S. Army CH-47 Chinooks have headed to support critical airlift
Satellite imagery of devastated areas is being provided to disaster relief planners
The US Military’s Southern Command has also deployed a 250-person Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the country.
In addition to the US relief efforts, the New York Times reported the following personnel were sent to Venezuela from abroad:
European Commission: More than 520 emergency responders from France, Czechia, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands flew to Venezuela. Officials said that 5 million euros would be allocated for relief efforts.
United Kingdom: A 68-member crew was dispatched to offer assistance. The aid includes drones, seismic listening technology, and cutting tools. Some two million euros were also earmarked for humanitarian aid.
All told, Reuters reports more than 1,600 foreign disaster aid workers have arrived in that country.
Back in the US, the Trump Administration assigned military officers to aid Venezuela:
The US Army dispatched a Major General to Venezuela after its government formally requested U.S. support following the deadly earthquakes.
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
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