Mexico Sends Rescue Team to Venezuela After Earthquakes

Mexico is dispatching a contingent of search and rescue specialists and medical personnel to Venezuela to assist in the aftermath of recent earthquakes. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed Mexico's solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who have suffered numerous fatalities and injuries.

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Before continuing, our solidarity with the people of Venezuela. Today a team from the Secretariat of National Defense of rescuers and health personnel is leaving to arrive in Venezuela.

The support team from the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) is set to depart immediately. Sheinbaum stated that upon arrival and coordination with Venezuelan authorities, Mexico will assess the need for additional personnel and resources. "And once they are installed there and have spoken with the authorities, we will determine tomorrow additional personnel that may be required to always help the peoples who need it," she added.

President Sheinbaum also confirmed that, based on reports from Mexico's Embassy in Venezuela, no Mexican citizens have been reported as injured or deceased. "For the moment we do not have any communication from the Embassy of Mexico in Venezuela, no Mexican has been reported injured, unfortunately deceased, but we are in permanent review," she said during her morning press conference.

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And once they are installed there and have spoken with the authorities, we will determine tomorrow additional personnel that may be required to always help the peoples who need it.

The decision to send aid followed discussions between Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco and Venezuelan officials. They indicated that the most pressing need was for trained personnel for emergency response, rather than food or other supplies. The Mexican federal government's aid package includes 250 military personnel, five search-and-rescue dogs, four aircraft, a drone, and specialized equipment for search, rescue, and medical care.

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For the moment we do not have any communication from the Embassy of Mexico in Venezuela, no Mexican has been reported injured, unfortunately deceased, but we are in permanent review.