Major General Francis Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command, stated on 30/6 that US forces are present in Venezuela and the surrounding region to support earthquake relief operations. This includes 900 troops directly deployed in Venezuela, along with approximately 800 military personnel stationed at key bases in the Caribbean region, specifically Puerto Rico and Curacao.

The US military has participated in search and rescue operations, helped restore airport operations, and mobilized air and naval assets to transport humanitarian aid. These forces have also deployed at least 4-5 MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Venezuela to help local authorities better understand the situation on the ground.

An MQ-9 Reaper UAV takes off from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, US on 18/6. Photo: USAF

The MQ-9 Reaper is a military UAV manufactured by the US company General Atomics for its air force. It can fly at an altitude of over 15.000 m and operate continuously for 24 hours. It performs roles in intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, attack, and search and rescue.

"We are using some assets, which were previously employed to monitor threats in the region, to ensure clear roads and identify damaged buildings", Major General Donovan stated, adding that these assets will provide Venezuelan officials with data difficult to observe or collect from the ground.

He mentioned that the Marine Corps was the first US force on the scene, assisting search and rescue teams in digging through rubble to find survivors. The US military also used aircraft to transport civilian personnel to Venezuela, including a search and rescue team from Virginia.

According to Major General Donovan, the overall relief operation is logistically challenging, with a focus on ensuring international aid resources do not become bottlenecked at reception points. "That is the step that can derail everything, like bringing too many supplies but lacking the logistics network to transport them to affected areas", he said.

US soldiers participate in a search at a collapsed building in La Guaira, Venezuela on 30/6. Photo: AP

Major General Donovan declined to predict how long US forces would remain in Venezuela but affirmed that their troops are not prepared for an extended mission on the ground. "No one is talking about staying. We will leave once our work is done", he stated, expressing hope that US efforts could help strengthen bilateral military relations.

The US military's involvement in relief efforts in Venezuela is a notable development, especially given that earlier this year, these forces conducted a raid in Caracas to apprehend President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to trial in New York. "January 3 was not that long ago. Consider how relations between the two countries have changed", Major General Donovan said.

Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7,2 and 7,5 magnitude, struck nearly one minute apart on 24/6, making them one of the most severe earthquake disasters in the Latin American region. According to NASA estimates, approximately 59.000 structures were destroyed or damaged, with the widespread devastation visible from space.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on 30/6 that 1.943 people had died and 10.571 were injured due to the disaster. Rescue forces successfully rescued 6.461 people after the earthquakes. According to Rodriguez, the actual number of people who escaped the rubble could be close to 20.000, if thousands of victims "who either freed themselves or were helped by family and friends" in La Guaira state are included.

Pham Giang (According to Reuters, AFP)