On Friday, El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, announced a large-scale humanitarian mission to Venezuela, deploying six aircraft loaded with machinery, equipment, and supplies to support search and rescue efforts following the devastating earthquakes on Wednesday, June 24.
Through his posts on X, Bukele shared that the third plane had landed in Venezuela, with the fourth en route. "We continue to strengthen this mission. God bless Venezuela," the Salvadoran leader expressed.
Earlier, he had announced the arrival of the second plane on X, detailing the full scale of the operation: "In total, we will send six planes as part of this humanitarian mission to support our Venezuelan brothers and sisters."
The mission comprises 300 rescuers and 150 tons of equipment and supplies. Bukele expanded the operation—which initially planned for fewer aircraft—after realizing that the needs on the ground were greater than anticipated.
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the arrival of the first 188 Salvadoran rescuers and supplies, publicly welcoming them.
"El Salvador, welcome to Venezuela! We received 188 rescuers from El Salvador, along with supplies, to join the efforts in search, rescue, and attending to families affected by the tragedy on June 24," she posted on X.
On Friday, Rodríguez updated the official toll of the disaster: 589 dead, 2,980 injured, and 214 aftershocks recorded since the earthquakes, marking a significant rise from previous reports.
Devastating Earthquakes Shake Venezuela
The two earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday at 6:04 p.m., occurring just 39 seconds apart, with epicenters in the states of Yaracuy and Carabobo.
The shallow depth of the quakes—only 10 kilometers—greatly amplified their destructive power, making these the most powerful seismic events recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
The state of La Guaira was declared a disaster zone, with numerous collapsed buildings in Macuto and Caracas. The Maiquetía International Airport sustained severe structural damage, with at least one runway cracked, complicating the logistics of international aid.
International Community Rallies
The Salvadoran mission is part of an unprecedented international response.
The United States committed $150 million in humanitarian assistance and deployed urban search and rescue teams, while Spain, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Qatar, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador, and the United Kingdom also sent aid.
Bukele's deployment holds particular significance given the diplomatic history between the two countries: El Salvador and Venezuela expelled each other's diplomats in November 2019, but normalized relations after Nicolás Maduro's fall and Rodríguez's assumption as interim president in January 2026.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that the critical window for locating survivors under the rubble is between 48 and 72 hours, making every hour crucial for the dozens still trapped.
Key Facts About the Venezuela Earthquakes
What was the magnitude of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them extremely powerful and destructive.
How many planes did El Salvador send to Venezuela for aid?
El Salvador sent six planes loaded with machinery, equipment, and supplies as part of their humanitarian mission.
How many rescuers did El Salvador dispatch to Venezuela?
El Salvador dispatched 300 rescuers to assist with search and rescue operations in Venezuela.