President Donald Trump announced a swift U.S. response to assist Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck near the country’s northern coast. The tremors caused widespread destruction in Caracas and led to a state of emergency, with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez reporting at least 164 fatalities and 971 injuries. Trump emphasized the readiness of U.S. government agencies to mobilize aid rapidly, highlighting a warming of relations between Washington and the Venezuelan interim government.

The U.S. State Department quickly deployed a disaster assistance team tasked with coordinating search and rescue missions and delivering essential medical and humanitarian supplies. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed ongoing communication with Venezuelan officials to ensure effective support. The Geological Survey projected severe economic damage from the earthquakes, estimating a potential 7% decline in Venezuela’s GDP, with a substantial probability of death tolls surpassing 10,000.

International aid has also been forthcoming, with countries such as China, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Qatar providing rescue teams and humanitarian relief. Rodríguez publicly expressed gratitude for the global assistance, particularly acknowledging support from the Trump administration. The seismic event is considered one of the strongest in Venezuela’s century-long history, occurring in a geologically active zone where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates meet.

The disaster complicates Venezuela’s ongoing stabilization after the January military intervention that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro. Despite tensions, the U.S. remains Venezuela’s top buyer of oil, controlling exports valued at $3.7 billion in April alone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged a robust and rapid response involving the War Department to overcome logistical challenges, especially damage to Caracas’ airport, signaling sustained U.S. engagement in Venezuela’s recovery and political realignment.