SOUTHCOM issues update on support for Venezuela earthquake relief, June 30

The U.S. military is expanding support for the State Department-led earthquake relief effort in Venezuela, with a Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center now operating at Simón Bolívar International Airport under U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard. The center is coordinating U.S. military support alongside the State Department and communicating with the Government of Venezuela, allies, partners, and agencies on the ground.

A U.S. Marine Combat Logistics Company has arrived in-country with medium-sized military transport trucks, highly mobile off-road vehicles, and military ambulance capabilities to boost capacity and speed the movement of critical supplies and equipment.

At sea, USS Fort Lauderdale is berthed at the Port of La Guaira to provide additional medical capabilities and serve as a communications and distribution hub to strengthen the humanitarian assistance network and push aid into the hardest-hit areas.

A Forward Arming and Refueling Point at Simón Bolívar International Airport is enabling rapid turnaround for nearly a dozen rotary-wing aircraft conducting personnel airlifts, emergency medical evacuations, and heavy-lift sling-load missions.

USS Billings is extending the operation’s reach by adding rotary-wing capacity to move aid and supplies into areas that are otherwise inaccessible.

Planning for additional U.S. military support is underway in coordination with the State Department, the Venezuelan government, and other international partners and allies, with further measures to be announced once confirmed. Updated information will be posted on U.S. Southern Command’s official social media accounts.