The United States has deployed more than 1,700 military personnel in and around Venezuela to support humanitarian relief efforts following last week’s devastating earthquakes that left thousands trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
General Francis Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command, said more than 900 American troops are currently operating inside Venezuela, while another 800 personnel have been positioned at military hubs in Puerto Rico and Curaçao to assist the large-scale emergency response. The deployment has focused on helping rescue survivors, restoring critical infrastructure and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches affected communities.
According to Donovan, US forces have taken part in search-and-rescue operations, helped reopen airport facilities and deployed air and naval assets to speed up the delivery of international aid. The military has also flown at least four MQ-9 Reaper drones over Venezuela to provide aerial intelligence, allowing authorities to identify damaged buildings, assess road conditions and coordinate rescue efforts more effectively.
The humanitarian mission marks a dramatic shift in relations between Washington and Caracas. Earlier this year, US forces carried out a high-profile operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was accused by the United States of drug trafficking, allegations he has consistently denied. More recently, American forces also worked alongside Venezuelan authorities in an operation that killed the leader of the notorious Tren de Aragua criminal gang. Donovan described the improvement in military cooperation over just a few months as a remarkable transformation.
Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude less than a minute apart, causing widespread destruction across several areas. By the sixth day of rescue efforts, officials said only one survivor — a three-year-old child — had been pulled alive from the rubble, although rescue operations remain ongoing. US Marines were among the first foreign personnel to assist local rescuers, while American aircraft transported international search-and-rescue teams, including specialists from Fairfax, Virginia, who successfully rescued a mother and her nine-month-old baby.
Donovan said a major priority is preventing aid bottlenecks by ensuring relief supplies are rapidly distributed instead of accumulating at airports and ports. He also acknowledged public frustration over Venezuela’s response to the disaster, noting that years of deteriorating infrastructure, along with shortages of medicine and healthcare workers, have made recovery efforts even more difficult.
While the duration of the US military mission has yet to be determined, Donovan stressed there are no plans for a long-term deployment. He said American forces will leave once relief operations are complete but expressed hope that the cooperation could pave the way for stronger military ties between the two countries in the future.
