In a ceremony held in La Guaira, Venezuela awarded the "Heroes and Heroines of Venezuela" medal to the Cuban rescue team and their working dogs this Friday, marking a week since the catastrophic earthquakes of June 24, 2026. The Cuban Embassy in Venezuela shared this news on their social media platforms.
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim president, led the event at the Jorge Luis García Carneiro Operations Base, with Diosdado Cabello also in attendance.
The ceremony celebrated a total of 478 specialists and 36 dogs from 12 different countries. Representing Cuba, Lieutenant Colonel Rubén Pupo and Ambassador Jorge Mayo Fernández accepted the honors.
In addition to the main award, the Cuban brigade's three Labrador retrievers—Tito, Eva, and Choco—were honored with the "Canine Heroes of Venezuela" medal for their role in locating individuals beneath the rubble.
Cuban Efforts Amid a Tragedy
The Cuban rescue team arrived in Venezuela in two waves: the first on June 28 and the second, which included 13 specialists such as surgeons and forensic doctors from the Henry Reeve Contingent, on June 30. Together, they brought over 7 tons of specialized equipment.
However, this accolade comes amidst a contradiction that the Cuban regime has chosen to downplay: as their rescuers received medals, at least 20 Cuban nationals remained missing, with eight confirmed dead by July 3.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs delayed acknowledging the plight of its citizens affected by the disaster. Ana Teresita González Fraga, the Director of Consular Affairs, stated on June 27 that "as of now, we have no official confirmation" of any injured, deceased, or missing Cubans, despite citizen platforms like "Encuéntralos" documenting numerous cases.
Tragic Loss and International Response
On June 28, the death of a Cuban family of six was confirmed: Alain Rodríguez Rojas, Yadina de la Caridad Yáñez, Teresa Rojas Rodríguez, Raudel Diosdado Rodríguez, Dylan Xander Rodríguez Yáñez, and Gladys María Padrón.
The June 24 earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck in Yaracuy state just 39 seconds apart, making them the most destructive in Venezuela since 1900. By July 3, the official death toll was 2,954, while the United Nations estimated up to 50,000 missing.
Meanwhile, Cuban official Abel Prieto criticized the U.S. humanitarian relief efforts, which included 79 Miami-Dade rescuers, six K-9 dogs, and $150 million in aid, dismissing them as "humanitarian Rambos," even as the Cuban regime celebrated its own accolades in Caracas.
Other countries recognized at the same ceremony included Jordan with 107 rescuers and six dogs, the Czech Republic with 69 specialists, and both Colombia and Spain with 67 each.
Key Questions About the Earthquake and Rescue Efforts
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them the most severe in Venezuela since 1900.
How many Cuban rescuers participated in the relief efforts?
The Cuban rescue team included 13 specialists, among them surgeons and forensic doctors from the Henry Reeve Contingent.
What was the international response to the earthquakes?
Countries like the United States, Jordan, the Czech Republic, Colombia, and Spain contributed rescuers, dogs, and aid to assist in the disaster relief efforts.