Argentina sends specialists to rehabilitate Maiquetía Airport after earthquakes

Argentina has announced the dispatch of a specialized technical team to aid in the rehabilitation of Venezuela's Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, a critical infrastructure hub impacted by earthquakes on June 24.

The decision was conveyed by Argentina's Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Pablo Quirno. He stated that the mission is in response to a request from the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, aiming to support recovery efforts at the nation's primary air terminal. Quirno confirmed via his social media that President Javier Milei's administration has arranged for a team from Aeropuertos Argentina, the company managing 35 airports in Argentina, to provide technical assistance in assessing and rehabilitating Maiquetía.

Argentina's support extends beyond airport infrastructure. Quirno reported that a contingent of specialized military personnel, search and rescue dogs with their handlers, and equipment from the Argentine Navy arrived in Venezuela to bolster operations in earthquake-stricken regions. Additionally, two more aircraft are scheduled to depart with brigades from the Argentine Federal Police and the PUMA group from Buenos Aires province, enhancing the operational capacity for search and rescue efforts.

To address the broader emergency response, the Argentine government is also deploying a special consular mission. This mission will offer assistance to Argentine citizens residing in Venezuela and to families seeking information about missing relatives. Quirno explained that the delegation will establish a direct humanitarian channel with Venezuelan authorities to manage requests concerning the location of missing persons, registration of the injured and deceased, care for unaccompanied minors, and the issuance of necessary documentation.