A senior American military official has arrived in Caracas to oversee US relief efforts in the aftermath of powerful twin earthquakes that killed at least 235 people in Venezuela, the US military said on Friday.
“US Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived in Caracas, Venezuela, today, to oversee Department of War support to Venezuela earthquake relief efforts,” said the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), whose area of responsibility covers Latin America and the Caribbean.
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SOUTHCOM is supporting relief operations by the State Department and Jarrard is serving as the senior SOUTHCOM official on the ground, it said in a statement on X.
“The interim Government of Venezuela formally requested US support following the earthquakes,” it said.
The post included a photo of Jarrard greeted by what appeared to be two Venezuelan representatives at an unspecified location.
US military forces “will utilize fixed and rotor wing aircraft to provide specialized mobility services” and assist with damage assessment and delivering aid, according to SOUTHCOM.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that he “immediately mobilized the War Department” at President Donald Trump’s direction to work alongside the State Department to support the Venezuelan people.
International rescuers and aid have started to arrive in Venezuela, following expressions of solidarity from countries in Latin America and around the world.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said late on Thursday that one of the country’s planes had landed in Venezuela, with two more on the way.
“Much more equipment is needed, so we have decided to increase the aid and send three more planes, with personnel, equipment, and supplies,” bringing the total to six planes and 300 rescuers, Bukele wrote on X.
Eighty Swiss rescuers and 80 from Mexico who specialize in earthquake relief had arrived at a military air base west of Caracas, according to Venezuelan television reports.
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