Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino thanked the Venezuelan government on Wednesday for sending 51 infrastructure assessment specialists to support the technical response following the earthquake that struck the country last Friday. The quake damaged over 3,000 structures and injured nearly thirty people, though there were no fatalities.
“I thank the Government of Venezuela for sending 51 infrastructure assessment experts. It will be a great help,” Mulino stated in a message posted on the social network X.
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Venezuela Offers Assistance to Panama Following Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake
The Venezuelan specialists arrived at Tocumen International Airport—Panama’s main air terminal—in two groups: the first comprising 34 experts, and the second consisting of 17 professionals.
The delegation was welcomed by Panamanian Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos, alongside the Ministry of Education’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Delia Marcela Herrera, and Yessica Cáceres, a representative from the Presidential Goals Secretariat.
According to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry, the first group of 34 specialists will focus on assessing and rehabilitating educational centers and other affected infrastructure. The second team will concentrate on diagnosing and restoring roads, churches, and heritage sites damaged by the earthquake.
The mission comprises professionals specializing in critical infrastructure assessment, inspection of at-risk structures, recovery, debris management, and service restoration. It also includes members of the Presidential Commission for Habitability Assessment, experts in geology and geotechnics, post-earthquake inspectors, and personnel dedicated to structural vulnerability research.
Venezuela’s Sectoral Vice President for Public Works and Services, Juan José Ramírez, had previously announced that the assistance would focus on inspecting at-risk structures and carrying out recovery efforts. Ramírez also recalled the support Panama provided to Venezuela following the earthquake that struck the latter country in June and reiterated the willingness to collaborate with Panamanian authorities during the emergency.
#Venezuela | Acting President Delcy Rodriguez offered assistance to Panama following the earthquake, confirming contact with Panamanian authorities to coordinate emergency relief efforts.
“Panama is not alone,” she said.#Panama #Earthquake #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/H29CG74g31— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 9, 2026
Bilateral coordination
The Venezuelan aid followed expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance to Panama from Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez after the quake. The following day, Rodríguez held a telephone conversation with Mulino, as confirmed by the Panamanian leader.
This cooperation is part of a coordinated international assistance framework between the two countries, aimed at strengthening the technical assessment of affected structures and accelerating the restoration of essential services.
Last Friday’s earthquake reached a magnitude of 7.7, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), while the University of Panama’s Institute of Geosciences placed it at 7.5. The tremor affected more than 11,500 people, according to official records.
Reported damage includes at least 3,390 homes—727 of which were destroyed—and more than 2,800 people housed in 33 temporary shelters.
Also recorded were 619 affected educational centers—35 of which suffered total collapse—as well as damage to more than 60 government buildings, 44 churches, 67 health centers, 11 hotels, and a dozen roads, thoroughfares, and bridges across the country.
#Panama | A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday. 🌊 Its shallow depth (10 km) intensified the seismic waves, causing the quake to be felt strongly throughout the country and along the border with Costa Rica. Rescue teams have already conducted assessments in… pic.twitter.com/CTGGdxCjzz
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 10, 2026
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