“Large and effective”: Trump promises military logistical aid for Venezuela

“The United States is ready, willing and able to help,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Wednesday night. The president added that he had instructed all government agencies to prepare to “act quickly,” calling on the Venezuelan people the “new and great friends.”

“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/laeZ9nvTMf

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 25, 2026

After the capture of former dictator Nicolás Maduro by US military forces in January, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was left in charge of the government and, in a drastic change of position with respect to decades of Chavismo, the new president approached the United States with opening to American investments and release of political prisoners.

Washington now controls oil exports. There has not yet been a democratic electoral opening, which the White House hopes for a “new phase.”

The swift offer of US aid reflects the diplomatic realignment between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan interim government, led by Rodríguez.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also said late Wednesday that the United States was in contact with Venezuelan authorities and mobilizing aid for the country.

President Rodríguez declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night and later said that at least 164 people were killed and 971 injured, although it is estimated that The figure could increase given the extensive damage.

In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey issued two red alerts consecutive through its PAGER system, and estimated a 41% probability that deaths would exceed 10,000 and a 17% probability that they would reach 100,000. The agency also projected that the devastating earthquake could reduce Venezuela’s GDP by up to 7%.

The State Department has already mobilized a disaster relief team and military force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to Venezuelans, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies and humanitarian resources, according to senior official Jeremy Lewin.

In a video message posted Thursday morning, Rodríguez thanked the Trump administration for providing “support and solidarity,” and the Dominican Republic for sending rescue teams to Venezuela.

China and Brazil have sent humanitarian aid to the country, he said, and the Qatari government has prepared a rescue brigade that will arrive this Thursday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the War Department would play a logistical role in assisting in the face of disaster, since earthquakes They damaged the Caracas airport. “It will be big, fast and effective,” Rubio said of the U.S. government’s response to the disaster.

He also stated that It is a “setback” for stabilization efforts in Venezuela, after the military intervention in January. It is not yet known how much damage the oil production and supply chain may have suffered.

The United States first seeks the economic recovery of the country, based on oil production. Washington is the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil since January, with US-controlled exports soaring to $3.7 billion in April from $600 million in January, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, estimating that $8 billion in flows have passed through the agreement with little transparency or oversight. India and Spain are the next largest recipients.