7.2-Magnitude Tremor: US Willing to Help Venezuela
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Following two major powerful earthquakes, US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is ready to assist the South American country of Venezuela.
On Wednesday night local time, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the two large earthquakes that struck Venezuela were of significant magnitude and have caused numerous casualties. The United States is ready, willing, and able to help.
Trump added that he has directed all federal agencies to be prepared to take swift action, writing, "We will stand by our new and wonderful friends."
In January, during a midnight military operation in Caracas, US forces abducted then-President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and brought him to the US. In recent months, relations between the US and Venezuela have improved significantly.
President Trump's administration is negotiating with the interim government led by Maduro's ally, Delcy Rodriguez. This includes an agreement to sell Venezuelan oil to the US, and Washington has granted sanctions waivers to encourage US investment in Caracas.
Additionally, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on social media platform X: "We are in contact with Venezuelan authorities and are mobilizing aid. The earthquakes were devastating."
He wrote on X that a disaster assistance team and task force have been formed to deliver emergency aid to the Venezuelan people and coordinate rescue operations.
He added that working with partners in Venezuela's interim government, the US will send search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies, and other resources during the critical days following this tragic natural disaster.
Seismologists have confirmed that a powerful 7.2 magnitude foreshock first struck near the municipality of San Felipe, adjacent to the capital Caracas. Just 40 seconds later, the main earthquake, a more devastating 7.5 magnitude, occurred just southeast of Yumare.
The main quake was the largest recorded earthquake to hit Venezuela and the most powerful in over 125 years.
