Pentagon deploys thousands of troops to Venezuela for earthquake relief

The Pentagon has deployed around 2,000 US military personnel to carry out various missions related to humanitarian assistance in Venezuela following the earthquake, the head of US Southern Command, Francis Donovan, announced on July 1.

“Right now, the U.S. military, the Department of War, has roughly 2,000 teammates in the area on land, air, and sea around Venezuela. They are working hard daily to help in the search and rescue efforts, to help in the recovery efforts, to deliver needed supplies,” said Francis Donovan during a press briefing.

The general added that the United States is also using military transport aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval vessels to support operations in and around Venezuela. He stressed that US troops would leave the country after completing their mission and return to routine regional operations.

The area of responsibility of the US Southern Command covers Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

The earthquake struck Venezuela on June 24, with two seismic waves recorded roughly 40 seconds apart, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The epicentres were located about 10 kilometres apart in Venezuela’s Yaracuy state. According to the latest figures, 2,295 people have been killed.

A seven-day national mourning period has been declared in Venezuela following the disaster.

By Jeyhun Aghazada