Trump says US is ‘ready, willing, and able to help’ Venezuela after the earthquakes
Leaders of several Latin American countries have also shown support for the government of Delcy Rodríguez as it grapples with the effects of back-to-back quakes near the northern coast
There are moments when geopolitics gives way to solidarity. After the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the international response was unanimous: offering immediate aid and support for the authorities. U.S. President Donald Trump was among the first to respond, posting on his Truth Social account:“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
Beyond the rhetoric, Washington immediately activated an offer of logistical support and the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams. Caracas’ response was swift in form: in a televised address that night to declare a national state of emergency, interim president Delcy Rodríguez confirmed there was “ongoing contact” with the White House, staging a pragmatism forced by the natural disaster that contrasts with the long-standing bilateral animosity.
The earthquake has forced a kind of humanitarian truce in a region accustomed to polarization. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted quickly, instructing the foreign ministry to deploy cooperation protocols and offer technical assistance, invoking Mexico’s long-standing tradition of aid after continental seismic disasters. “Our solidarity goes out to the people of Venezuela. The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs has contacted the government of our brother country and I have already instructed that the necessary aid be prepared. For now they have requested support with specialized rescue and health personnel. Mexico has always been and always will be supportive,” the Mexican president said.
El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, made civil rescue resources available minutes after images emerged of collapsed façades in downtown Caracas. “At this time we have offered aid to the Government of Venezuela through our foreign ministry. Three hundred rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines and essential supplies, are ready to depart for Caracas,” the president said.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader also expressed his support. “I have just spoken with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, to convey, on behalf of the people and government of the Dominican Republic, our deepest solidarity in the face of the tragedy caused by the devastating earthquake. Tomorrow morning, specialized search, rescue and emergency response teams from our Armed Forces will depart for Venezuela to support the work of Venezuelan authorities. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, the injured and all the Venezuelan people in these very difficult hours,” the president announced.
Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa expressed himself similarly, saying he had ordered the “immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid to address this emergency. Ecuador will respond with the speed and commitment this moment requires because, despite the vast differences, humanity must always guide the actions of a head of state.”
As aftershocks continued to shake northern Venezuela and doctors crowded hospitals responding to the emergency call, Venezuelan politicians are trying to assimilate the scale of the crisis. “I receive the messages with gratitude, and I value the expression of solidarity and cooperation toward the people of Venezuela at this time,” Delcy Rodríguez said.
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