Southern Command mobilized ships, planes, and helicopters to support search and rescue efforts after Venezuelan interim authorities formally requested assistance from Washington
The United States deployed warships, transport planes, reconnaissance aircraft, and helicopters to assist in rescue efforts in Venezuela following the earthquakes that shook the country on Wednesday, leaving at least 235 dead and more than 4,300 injured, according to the official toll.
The decision was announced by the U.S. Southern Command, after Venezuelan interim authorities formally requested assistance to address the humanitarian emergency.
The Southern Command deployed ships, planes, and helicopters
In an official statement, the Southern Command confirmed that the military operation is already underway to provide logistical and operational support for rescue efforts.
"The interim authorities of Venezuela formally requested U.S. assistance following the events", the agency reported.
The commander of the Southern Command, General Francis L. Donovan, detailed that the United States mobilized an amphibious transport ship, a combat ship, transport planes, reconnaissance platforms, and rotary-wing aircraft to assist in the response to the disaster.
According to the agency, the goal is to strengthen search, rescue, and humanitarian aid distribution capabilities in the most affected areas.
U.S. Southern Command deployed ships, planes, and helicopters
"These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver vital emergency assistance", the statement noted.
Additionally, the Southern Command assured that it will maintain ongoing coordination with Venezuelan authorities throughout all stages of the operation.
"It will continue to work closely with the interim authorities of Venezuela to plan, coordinate, and direct U.S. armed forces in support of rapid relief operations in the affected areas", it added.
Trump authorized $150 million in aid
Hours before the announcement of the military deployment, the Donald Trump administration confirmed a humanitarian aid package of $150 million intended to assist those affected by the earthquakes of magnitudes 7.5 and 7.2.
The funding will be used to strengthen rescue operations, medical assistance, provision of food, drinking water, and shelter for the thousands affected by the natural disaster.
The United States temporarily eased sanctions to facilitate assistance
As part of the response to the emergency, the Department of the Treasury announced a temporary easing of the sanctions regime against Venezuela to allow humanitarian aid to enter.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a general license that enables financial operations that would normally be prohibited by U.S. sanctions.
The United States temporarily eased sanctions to facilitate assistance
"All transactions related to aid efforts following the earthquake in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations are authorized until 12:01 a.m. on October 23, 2026", the agency stated.
The authorization will also allow the processing and transfer of funds from third countries to Venezuela as long as those operations are intended solely to support humanitarian assistance efforts.
The easing does not imply a lifting of sanctions
The Department of the Treasury clarified that the measure is exclusively humanitarian and does not modify the rest of the sanctions framework currently in place against the Venezuelan regime.
In this regard, it specified that the license does not authorize the unblocking of frozen assets nor does it enable operations that remain prohibited by other U.S. executive orders.
With these measures, Washington seeks to accelerate the entry of resources, specialized personnel, and equipment to reinforce the search and rescue efforts that continue to take place in the areas devastated by the earthquake.
