Washington: The United States has deployed more than 1,700 military personnel in and around Venezuela to support relief operations following the country’s devastating earthquakes, according to General Francis Donovan, commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
Speaking to Reuters, Donovan said more than 900 U.S. military personnel are currently operating inside Venezuela, while approximately 800 additional personnel have been stationed at logistics hubs in Puerto Rico and Curaçao to assist humanitarian operations.
Large-scale relief mission underway
The U.S. military has been actively supporting search-and-rescue efforts following the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week.
According to Donovan, U.S. personnel have helped restore airport operations, conducted search-and-rescue missions and mobilised air and naval assets to facilitate the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid.
The operation has focused on ensuring that international assistance reaches affected communities efficiently rather than becoming stranded at entry points.
Drones supporting rescue operations
Donovan told Reuters that the U.S. military has deployed at least four or five MQ-9 Reaper drones over Venezuela to improve situational awareness.
The drones, supported by an intelligence fusion cell in Miami, are being used to identify damaged buildings, assess blocked roads and provide Venezuelan authorities with real-time information to assist rescue teams.
He said the same surveillance capabilities often used to monitor regional security threats are now being redirected to support humanitarian operations.
Relations shift after months of tensions
The relief mission marks a dramatic change in relations between the United States and Venezuela.
Reuters noted that on January 3, U.S. forces carried out an operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Maduro has denied all allegations.
More recently, the United States also coordinated with Venezuelan authorities in an operation that killed the leader of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua.
Donovan described the rapid improvement in military cooperation as a significant shift compared to the tensions that existed earlier this year.
Rescue efforts continue
Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude less than a minute apart, causing widespread destruction and trapping thousands beneath collapsed buildings.
According to Reuters, rescue operations entered their sixth day with only one survivor—a three-year-old child—rescued during that period, although search efforts continue.
Donovan said U.S. Marines were among the first American personnel deployed on the ground and assisted local rescuers in searching through collapsed buildings. The U.S. military also transported international rescue teams, including specialists from Fairfax, Virginia, who successfully rescued a woman and her nine-month-old baby.
Focus on humanitarian logistics
The commander emphasised that the mission is heavily focused on logistics to ensure aid reaches those in need without delays.
He said managing the flow of humanitarian supplies is critical, as relief efforts can become ineffective if materials accumulate at airports and ports without adequate transportation to disaster-hit areas.
The operation includes coordinating air and sea transport while supporting Venezuelan authorities in distributing emergency assistance.
No plans for long-term military presence
Donovan clarified that the United States has no plans to maintain a long-term military presence in Venezuela.
He said the broader relief mission is being led by the U.S. State Department, while the military’s role is limited to supporting humanitarian operations.
“We leave when we’re done,” Donovan told Reuters, while expressing hope that the cooperation could pave the way for improved military-to-military relations between the two countries in the future.
Conclusion
The deployment of more than 1,700 U.S. military personnel represents one of the largest international responses to Venezuela’s earthquake disaster. While focused solely on humanitarian assistance, the operation also reflects an unexpected thaw in military cooperation between Washington and Caracas following years of strained relations.