US pledges $150M in aid, deploys Navy warships after Venezuela quakes
Minister Rubio talked about US aid to Venezuela after the earthquake
Secretary Rubio, who is in Manama, Bahrain, outlines the U.S. government’s comprehensive response to back-to-back devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. He confirmed the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the urgency of saving lives. Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump’s commitment to supporting Venezuela and cooperating with international partners on recovery efforts and long-term stability.
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Following a series of devastating earthquakes in Venezuela that killed at least 235 people, the Trump administration mobilized a government-wide humanitarian response, pledging $150 million in aid and deploying U.S. Navy warships to assist with life-saving rescue operations.
The rapid mobilization on Thursday came after back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes shook northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, about 120 miles west of Caracas.
The rare earthquake “twice as much” injured more than 940 people, according to Venezuela’s Ministry of Health, and turned La Guaira state into a disaster zone, while forcing the closure of the damaged Simón Bolívar International Airport.
US RESCUE TEAMS TO LAND IN HARD-HIT CARIBBEAN AFTER MELISSA’S IMPACT
Rescuers search for victims in a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas on June 24, 2026. (Manaure Quintero / AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. State Department announced Thursday that $150 million in aid has been mobilized; $50 million of this aid includes new bilateral awards to aid partners on the ground, including Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Relief Services and World Vision, as well as a $100 million contribution to the United Nations humanitarian pooled fund.
To lead efforts on the ground, the State Department deployed two highly specialized urban search and rescue teams from fire departments in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, as well as a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team.
WHILE TRUMP PROMISES TO STOP THE CARTELS, US WARSHIP WILL BE ACTIVE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA
Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s international urban search and rescue team (USA-2) prepare to depart for Venezuela in Pacoima, California, on Thursday. (Blake Fagan/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said it was increasing U.S. military forces assigned to the region and diverting USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings to Venezuela to support State Department-led operations.
According to SOUTHCOM, USS Fort Lauderdale will serve as a “floating command center” with a flight deck to support heavy-lift helicopters and a well deck to launch landing craft.
Meanwhile, the agile USS Billings will provide critical support near the coastline to expedite disaster response missions.
US SOUTHCOM said the US government is directing USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and USS Billings (LCS 15) to Venezuela to support relief operations in Venezuela. (@Southcom/X)
SOUTHCOM said it will also send rotary-wing aircraft to provide critical life-saving airlift support, transporting U.S. government response personnel, search and rescue teams and partners during relief operations.
Amid the crisis, the State Department emphasized that the safety of U.S. citizens remains the administration’s top priority.
“The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety of Americans. The State Department is working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to U.S. citizens and their families in affected areas,” officials said in a statement. “The United States remains committed to helping Venezuela recover from this devastating disaster and will continue to explore additional ways to provide meaningful assistance at this critical time.”
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U.S. citizens in Venezuela are asked to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and contact the Department of State 24/7 at 202-501-4444 for immediate assistance.
Family members in the United States seeking information about their loved ones can call 888-407-4747 toll-free.
