Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum dispatches military rescuers and medical staff to assist Venezuela after powerful shallow earthquakes left at least 188 dead and La Guaira declared a disaster zone.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dispatched a military rescue and healthcare contingent to Venezuela on Thusrday to assist in emergency operations following two devastating earthquakes that killed at least 188 people.
The specialized rescue and healthcare personnel belong to the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA, in Spanish). This swift deployment highlights the deep diplomatic and humanitarian solidarity between Mexico and Venezuela.
RELATED: Venezuela Declares State of Emergency Following Two Major Earthquakes
Upon arrival, the Mexican team will begin a concrete coordinate mission. Working alongside local Venezuelan authorities, the specialists will perform on-site damage assessments to determine additional requirements.
This immediate support is vital for locating survivors trapped under collapsed structures and easing the heavy burden on the nation’s overwhelmed healthcare facilities.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Una publicación compartida de teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)
Devastating Seismic Impact
The scale of the disaster is immense, with the official toll reporting 188 fatalities, nearly 1,000 people injured, 157 people missing, 200 people trapped, 2,927 families affected, 250 buildings damaged, 8 hospitals affected and 20 shopping centers damaged across several states of the country. The coastal state of La Guaira has suffered the most severe destruction and is now declared a “disaster zone”. Emergency teams are working continuously among the ruins of collapsed buildings and isolated coastal communities.
Technical data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals the immense power of the seismic activity. A precursor earthquake of magnitude 7.2 occurred at 6:05 p.m., followed just 39 seconds later by the main 7.5-magnitude earthquake. Both shocks occurred at a shallow depth of 13.2 kilometers, which amplified their destructive force in Caracas, La Guaira and Carabobo.
This natural disaster also paralyzed Venezuela’s primary transport infrastructure. Maiquetia International Airport suspended all flight operations due to infrastructure damage, while the Caracas Metro and the public railway network stopped services to prioritize the movement of emergency vehicles.
In the capital city of Caracas, frightened residents spent the night in open squares and avenues to avoid potential collapses. Authorities confirmed that at least three buildings collapsed in the residential areas of Los Palos Grandes and San Bernardino. Rescue teams are searching for trapped individuals in these urban zones, while constant aftershocks fuel widespread fear.
Regional Solidarity Mobilizes
President Sheinbaum’s decision aligns with a collective international effort to assist the South American nation. Brotherly Latin American nations, including Cuba, Colombia and Panama, immediately mobilized humanitarian aid offers. Beyond the region, countries like Türkiye and Qatar, are coordinating disaster response operations.
This coordinate effort underscores the importance of regional integration and mutual aid among nations of the Global South during major emergencies.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.