A team of Cuban rescue workers landed in Venezuela on Sunday to aid in the search and recovery operations in areas devastated by the recent earthquakes on June 24th, which are the most destructive the country has experienced since 1900.
Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by Venezuela's Deputy Minister for Latin America, Mauricio Rodríguez, Cuban Ambassador Jorge Mayo Fernández, and other officials, as reported by an official Cuban source.
This rescue brigade is set to bolster the already active Cuban Medical Brigade in Venezuela, which has volunteers positioned across all 24 states and promptly responded to the earthquakes by tending to the injured at Comprehensive Diagnostic Centers.
The seismic events prompting this international response occurred on Tuesday, June 24th, when two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck northern Venezuela just 39 seconds apart. The epicenters in Yaracuy state caused over 100 buildings to collapse in La Guaira and Caracas.
As of Saturday, June 27th, official reports indicated 1,430 deaths, more than 3,360 injuries, and an estimated 54,000 missing according to the UN, with at least 300 aftershocks since the initial quakes.
The global reaction has been extensive, with more than 1,600 rescue personnel from 16 countries, including teams from the United States, Spain, Peru, Switzerland, Germany, Colombia, and Mexico, deployed throughout Venezuela.
The arrival of Cuban search and rescue specialists extends the Cuban regime's involvement beyond medical assistance during this crisis, especially as at least 30 Cubans remain missing under the debris in areas like Caraballeda, Catia La Mar, and Los Corales in La Guaira state.
Among the documented missing is a family of six — Alain Rodríguez Rojas, Yadina de la Caridad Yáñez, Teresa Rojas Rodríguez, Raudel Diosdado Rodríguez, Dylan Xander Rodríguez Yáñez, and Gladys María Padrón — whose search continues without success as of Sunday.
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that they have no official confirmation of affected nationals, contradicting evidence from citizen platforms like "Encuéntralos" and independent media.
Meanwhile, Abel Prieto, an adviser to the regime and president of Casa de las Américas, used the opportunity to criticize the U.S. humanitarian efforts with a social media post: "Humanitarian 'Rambos'? Who knows? All our solidarity with the brotherly people of Venezuela. Cuban doctors are there, saving lives on the front lines."
The death toll may continue to rise as rescue operations progress, with tens of thousands still reported missing beneath the rubble.
Key Questions About Cuban Rescue Efforts in Venezuela
What prompted the Cuban rescue team to go to Venezuela?
The Cuban rescue team was sent to Venezuela to assist with search and recovery operations following the devastating earthquakes on June 24th.
How severe were the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes in Venezuela were extremely severe, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing significant destruction in La Guaira and Caracas.
What has been the international response to the Venezuelan earthquakes?
The international response has been substantial, with over 1,600 rescue workers from 16 countries, including the U.S., Spain, and Mexico, being deployed to aid Venezuela.