Mexico Sends Troops and Aid to Venezuela After Earthquakes

The Mexican government has deployed a humanitarian relief mission consisting of 261 military personnel, 18 canine search teams, and 19.1 tons of rescue equipment and medical supplies to Venezuela, following two major earthquakes that struck the country’s central-northern region on June 24. The operation, which began flights on June 25 from Santa Lucía Military Air Base, runs in parallel with a separate large-scale deployment announced by US Southern Command to support provisional authorities on the ground.

The emergency response follows consecutive earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, which have left Venezuela in a declared state of emergency. Reported casualties currently stand at 235 deaths and 4,300 injuries, with local and international agencies warning that the toll may rise as search efforts continue amid collapsed structures.

Mexico Deploys Tactical Air Bridge and Specialized Personnel

President Claudia Sheinbaum authorized the immediate deployment of the Mexican Armed Forces following diplomatic communications between Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco and Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who formally requested search-and-rescue and medical assistance.

In a joint statement, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) confirmed that the initial contingent departed at 14:30 on June 25 aboard two Mexican Air Force Boeing 737-800 transport aircraft.

The 261-member delegation includes:

• 240 personnel from the Mexican Army (drawn from the Emergency Response Battalion, which previously participated in the Coahuila mining rescue operations)
• 11 personnel from the Mexican Air Force
• 10 personnel from the National Guard

The deployment includes doctors, nurses, stretcher-bearers, and search-and-rescue specialists. It is supported by 18 canine units trained to locate individuals trapped under collapsed structures, including Arkadas, a search dog donated by Türkiye following Mexico’s humanitarian assistance after the May 2023 earthquake.

The initial two Boeing aircraft transported 4.4 tons of search-and-rescue equipment and 2.7 tons of medical supplies. A subsequent flight using a C-130 Hercules delivered an additional eight tons of medication and four tons of rescue equipment, bringing Mexico’s total initial aid package to 19.1 tons.

President Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference that the Mexican Embassy in Venezuela had not reported any Mexican nationals killed or injured, though monitoring continues. She added that while personnel and medical assistance were requested, “the Venezuelan government has not requested food supplies or provisions at this time.”

Brigadier General of the General Staff Alejandro Gómez, commander of the Mexican mission, addressed personnel before departure: “The people of Venezuela have suffered the effects of an earthquake; the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has ordered the Ministry of National Defense, with its women and men, to support the people of Venezuela. We have the personnel, equipment, and organization to comply with the order. We go with empathy, readiness, and the values that distinguish the Army, Air Force, and National Guard. Always faithful.”

United States Initiates Southern Command Deployment

Simultaneously, the United States announced the mobilization of military assets under US Southern Command following a formal assistance request from provisional Venezuelan authorities.

General Francis L. Donovan, commander, Southern Command, confirmed the deployment of an amphibious transport dock ship, a littoral combat ship, multiple transport aircraft, aerial reconnaissance platforms, and rotary-wing aircraft.

According to an official US Southern Command statement, “These forces will provide specialized mobility support to US government personnel, search and rescue teams, and interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver emergency assistance.”

The administration said it “will continue to collaborate closely with interim authorities in Venezuela to plan, coordinate, and direct” US military operations in the affected areas.