A first U.S. military contingent, led by a Marine Corps general, arrived in Caracas today to “coordinate” U.S. aid for the victims of the twin earthquakes in Venezuela, the U.S. Armed Forces announced.
“Marine Corps Lieutenant General Kevin J. Jarrett arrived today in Caracas, in Venezuela, to oversee the Department of Defense’s support for rescue efforts following the earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a post on X by the U.S. military command for Latin America and the Caribbean, Southcom.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Canadian Anne Carson Wins the Nobel Prize in Literature
A Look Back at Apollon’s International Soccer Players
In its post, Southcom published a photo of the high-ranking officer, who appears to be greeted upon his arrival by two Venezuelan officials at an unspecified location.
As head of a “Southcom management team,” General Jarrett serves as a senior Southcom official in the field and works closely with partners to plan, coordinate, and direct the “logistical and operational capabilities” deployed by the U.S. military “to the affected areas,” the statement emphasizes.
The tweet notes that “Venezuela’s interim government officially requested U.S. support following the earthquakes” and clarifies that U.S. military personnel will use “aircraft and helicopters” in rescue operations.
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegese announced on X that “at the request of President Trump, he immediately mobilized the Department of Defense (…) to support the people of Venezuela.”
Today, search and rescue efforts continued at a frantic pace in Venezuela to save people who may still be alive and are trapped in the rubble of buildings that collapsedmore than 24 hours ago following the double earthquake that has claimed the lives of at least 235 people, according to the most recent tally, which remains provisional.
Venezuelans are helping each other rescue victims of the earthquakes that struck on Wednesday (24).
Watch #GloboNews: https://t.co/yAMjf4cw3V #globonewsemponto #earthquake #venezuela pic.twitter.com/rT1qSwQiiH
— GloboNews (@GloboNews) June 26, 2026
The two earthquakes—the first measuring 7.2, and the second a 7.5, which occurred just seconds apart, represent the strongest seismic event in Venezuela since 1900. At least 4,300 people in the country have been injured as a result, according to the government’s preliminary report.
Many countries in Latin America, as well as in Europe and elsewhere around the world, have offered assistance.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele stated on his X account that a first aircraft from his country “has already landed in Venezuela.”
“Our staff on the ground is informing us (…) that there is a severe shortage of equipment, so we have decided to increase our aid and send three additional aircraft, carrying personnel, equipment, and supplies,” President Bukele explained.
Venezuelan television networks also reported the arrival by air at the Maracay military airbase (BAEL, 50 kilometers west of Caracas) of 80 Swiss rescue workers and a team of 80 Mexican rescue workers, who specialize in search and rescue operations to locate earthquake victims.
READ ALSO: Venezuela Bleeds: “Armageddon” After Deadly Earthquakes, Death Toll Reaches 235 | AlphaNews
Source: APE-MPE
