World sends rescuers, aid as Venezuela reels from quakes

Caracas: Offers of rescue support, aid and condolences poured into Venezuela on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes left at least 164 dead and hundreds injured.

Countries send rescuers, aid

Specialist rescuers certified by the United Nations are on their way to Venezuela to help search for survivors, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised message.


Spain and France said they would send dozens of rescuers, and Germany promised six military transport planes.

Switzerland's government said it had mobilised 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 18 tonnes of equipment to be sent to Venezuela "as soon as possible".

The Netherlands' Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma announced a two-million-euro aid package to deploy a search and rescue team that includes rescue workers and dogs and equipment.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it had released $2.5 million to help with the recovery efforts.

US, China 'willing' to help

US President Donald Trump said his country "stands ready, willing, and able to help". He "instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised a "whole-of-government response" that would be "big... fast and... effective".

China also said it was ready to send whatever was needed.

"China is willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side," foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.

"As of now, there have been no reports of casualties among Chinese citizens."

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei voiced "Iran's readiness to provide any assistance required in relief and rescue operations".

Latin American solidarity

Latin American governments were quick to offer solidarity and help.

"For the time being, they have asked us for support in the form of specialist rescue and medical personnel," Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X.

"Mexico always stands in solidarity and always will."

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had listened to news about the quake "with great concern and dismay" and would support recovery efforts.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said he had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics and 50 tons of equipment, medicines, and basic supplies.

Cuban health workers were already on the scene, said Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and were "fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population".

Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile and Uruguay all expressed solidarity, while Ecuador and the Dominican Republic both said they had readied aid to send.

Global condolences

Japan offered "sincere condolences to those affected" in Venezuela. The east Asian nation was rocked by a 7.2-magnitude quake itself on Thursday, escaping with no major damage.

Spain was the first of several European countries to react to the news from Venezuela.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered "full support" to the Venezuelan people, adding: "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

The sentiments were reflected in statements from Italian leader Giorgia Meloni and Germany's Friedrich Merz.

The French government said it stood "in solidarity" with the Venezuelan people before confirming that its embassy in Caracas had been damaged in the disaster.

Two warring nations, Ukraine and Russia, also sent their condolences without specific offers of aid.

The European Union said it had activated its satellite surveillance system, with aid commissioner Hadja Lahbib writing online: "We stand ready to step up assistance."