Death toll from devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to at least 235, with over 4,300 injured and thousands missing. Quakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude hit northern Venezuela Wednesday night, about 120 miles west of Caracas. As rescue efforts continue,expect fatalities to rise .
U.S. military officials now in Caracas to help with relief. U.S . Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived Thursday to oversee Department of War's support. Trump administration has launched a major humanitarian response,pledging $150 million and deploying U.S. Navy warships for rescue operations.
Maj. Gen. Jarrard working closely with Venezuelan authorities,including interim government led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez,who asked for U.S. help. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said military forces will use fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft for mobility services. These efforts will back U.S. personnel,search and rescue teams,and partners doing damage assessments and delivering urgent aid.
La Guaira,coastal region north of Caracas,hit hardest . Main airport closed due to structural damage,complicating aid delivery. Eyewitnesses describe chaos . Retired teacher Juan Alberto Mendaño navigated wreckage,past a body,to reach woman signaling for help . "May God rescue her as quickly as possible," he said,recalling her cries.
Rescue teams from other regions redirected to La Guaira,which Rodríguez called "disaster zone." She urged local businesses to provide heavy construction equipment for rescue . "We hope to rescue as many living people as possible," she said,stressing urgency.
Venezuelan state TV aired footage of dramatic rescues,including extraction of people trapped under rubble. One woman was freed after being pinned under a cement slab,only her foot visible at first.
International community watches closely. U.S. military's logistics expected to play key role in ongoing response to this disaster. Focus is on saving lives,providing support…but what comes next?
