U.S. Marines took operational control with the aim of facilitating the arrival of international assistance
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The United States Armed Forces took operational control of the control tower and runway of the Simón Bolívar International Airport, in coordination with Venezuelan controllers, as confirmed by the United States Southern Command.
The deployment occurred following the earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 recorded on June 24 in Venezuela, which left at least 2,954 dead and more than 16,592 injured as of July 4, according to official figures.
The impact on infrastructure was severe, especially at the country's main airport, where collapsed ceilings, cracked runways, and the destruction of the Area Control Center were reported, paralyzing the arrival of humanitarian aid.
US Marines
To restore operations, the 621st Contingency Response Wing of the U.S. Air Force deployed 110 specialized aviators who took over the management of both the tower and ground operations, allowing for the reactivation of cargo aircraft flow with international assistance.
From the United States Southern Command, it was noted that the intervention “has helped clear logistical bottlenecks, ensuring that vital supplies, heavy equipment, and aid personnel reach the front lines.”
The operation is being carried out under the direction of the Department of State, as part of the humanitarian response of the Donald Trump administration.
The images released show U.S. military personnel working alongside Venezuelan civilian controllers at the radar consoles and communication systems of the control tower.
U.S. Marines
The commitment of the United States is also reflected in the financial aspect. President Trump initially authorized a fund of 150 million dollars on June 25, which was later expanded to exceed 300 million in total assistance.
The operation includes a large-scale military deployment, with more than 1,300 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in addition to C-17 and C-130 aircraft, MV-22 Ospreys, CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and UH-60 Blackhawks. This is complemented by the presence of the USS Fort Lauderdale, operating in the port of La Guaira with amphibious vessels.
Meanwhile, international organizations are assessing the magnitude of the disaster. The United Nations estimates up to 50,000 missing and more than 6.7 million people affected. For its part, NASA identified through satellite images nearly 58,870 damaged or destroyed buildings and more than 1.2 million tons of debris just in the La Guaira area.
The deployment marks an unprecedented event: a direct military cooperation between the United States and Venezuela in a context where both countries had not maintained full diplomatic relations for years.
