U.S. Military to Remain in Venezuela Until Humanitarian Mission Concludes

U.S. military personnel currently deployed in Venezuela will stay until their humanitarian mission is completed, confirmed Gen. Francis L. Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command. The deployment is focused on assisting with search and rescue operations in the aftermath of recent devastating earthquakes.

During a virtual press conference, Donovan stated that U.S. rescue teams will remain in the affected emergency zones for as long as deemed necessary. He stressed that the military presence is strictly temporary and directly linked to the ongoing emergency response efforts. "There are more lives we can save. And there is more aid we can distribute. We will remain in Venezuela until the work is finished. And when we are done, we will leave Venezuela," Donovan affirmed.

John Barrett, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Caracas, reported that American assistance following the earthquakes surpasses $300 million. He detailed that search and rescue teams from Florida have already successfully recovered five survivors from the rubble, including a mother and child, as well as a U.S. citizen who had been reported missing.

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There are more lives we can save. And there is more aid we can distribute. We will remain in Venezuela until the work is finished. And when we are done, we will leave Venezuela.

Barrett also took the opportunity to clarify that the current humanitarian emergency does not alter the U.S. administration's established roadmap for democratic transition in Venezuela. "Reconstruction looks a bit different now after the devastating earthquake, but economic recovery had already begun, and we will refocus on this investment and the recovery of the economy," he said.

The official government figures in Venezuela report 2,295 deaths and 11,267 injuries resulting from the double earthquake.

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The reconstruction looks a bit different now after the devastating earthquake, but economic recovery had already begun, and we will refocus on this investment and the recovery of the economy.