On Wednesday, John Barrett, the United States Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires in Venezuela, personally visited the emergency mobile hospital set up by Samaritan's Purse in La Guaira. He described the operation as life-saving in the region most affected by the June 24th earthquakes.
"Today, I witnessed firsthand how lives are being saved in La Guaira," Barrett expressed on the official Twitter account of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, signing off with his initials "JB."
Accompanying Barrett was Erin Magee, leader of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).
The mobile hospital, strategically located near the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, is equipped to treat over 100 patients daily, featuring operating rooms, an intensive care unit, and laboratories.
This visit comes just a week after two consecutive earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5—the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900—devastated the coastal state of La Guaira on June 24th.
Impact and Response to the Earthquakes
The José María Vargas Hospital was destroyed, over 250 buildings collapsed, and the Maiquetía airport suffered severe structural damage.
The Venezuelan government reported 2,295 fatalities and more than 11,000 injuries, while the UN estimates over 50,000 people remain trapped under debris, with the total number of affected individuals exceeding 6.7 million.
Barrett described the U.S. response as "swift, large-scale, and unprecedented," coordinated by the State Department alongside non-governmental organizations operating in the country.
U.S. Aid and Military Support
"Under the leadership of the President and Secretary Rubio, the U.S. is providing massive and immediate aid," the diplomat added.
Washington increased its financial commitment to over $300 million, following an initial $150 million announced on June 25th.
These funds are being channeled through organizations like Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, the World Food Program, and the Red Cross, in addition to $100 million designated for the UN emergency fund (OCHA).
The Southern Command deployed C-17 and C-130 aircraft, Osprey and Chinook helicopters, as well as the USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings vessels.
More than 300 elite rescuers and 23 search dogs are operating in the affected area. The U.S. also temporarily waived sanctions until October 23rd to facilitate financial transactions related to relief efforts.
Diplomatic Context and Humanitarian Efforts
This catastrophe unfolds amid a unique diplomatic situation: the U.S. Embassy in Caracas was reopened on March 30, 2026, after being closed since 2019, with Barrett assuming his role on April 23rd, as part of a gradual normalization of relations initiated by the Trump administration.
The humanitarian response to the earthquake has become a focal point of this renewed bilateral relationship, with the Venezuelan government officially accepting aid from Washington.
Among the tragedies documented in La Guaira is the loss of a Cuban family of six found deceased under the rubble on June 29th; at least 32 Cubans remain missing in the area.
"A key objective is to provide urgent medical attention and relief to those most in need during this critical time," Barrett concluded, marking the first public visit by a senior U.S. diplomat to the disaster zones since the onset of the emergency.
FAQs on U.S. Humanitarian Aid in Venezuela
What is the capacity of the mobile hospital in La Guaira?
The mobile hospital can accommodate and treat over 100 patients daily and includes facilities such as operating rooms, an intensive care unit, and laboratories.
How has the U.S. responded to the earthquake disaster in Venezuela?
The U.S. response has been described as swift and large-scale, involving over $300 million in aid, military support, and collaboration with various humanitarian organizations to provide immediate assistance.
What is the significance of the U.S. Embassy reopening in Caracas?
The reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas marks a step towards normalizing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Venezuela, playing a crucial role in coordinating humanitarian efforts in response to the earthquake disaster.