Uruguay Sends Second Aid Flight to Venezuela After Regulatory Issues Resolved

Uruguay has sent its second flight carrying 15 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, destined for populations affected by a severe earthquake on June 24. The aid departed from Uruguay's main airport near Montevideo.

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What is attempted in humanitarian assistance is that the assistance provided is adjusted to the demand and not the offer.

The cargo primarily consists of medical supplies, medicines, and hygiene kits. This assistance was organized collaboratively and tailored to the specific needs identified by the Venezuelan government for the emergency response phase. Leandro Palomeque, director of the National Emergency System, stressed the importance of aligning humanitarian aid with actual demand.

Initially scheduled for Tuesday, the flight was postponed due to a "change in rules" imposed by Venezuela. Uruguayan Minister of Defense Sandra Lazo explained that new entry regulations, particularly concerning costs for arriving goods, had created a hurdle. However, diplomatic dialogues between Uruguayan and Venezuelan authorities, led by Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, resolved the issue within the week.

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I am not arriving in a territory without any problems. I am arriving in a territory that has all the inconveniences after a catastrophe like the one that happened. In that framework, the rules of the game also change.

The earthquake on June 24 has resulted in a tragic death toll of 5,069, with an additional 139 fatalities reported recently. The number of injured remains at 16,740. Venezuelan authorities report that 17,907 people are homeless, and 128,324 families have been affected. Over 21,000 individuals are currently housed in 107 temporary camps.

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There is a new change of rules, and that change of rules has to do with costs for those who arrive at the airport with certain supplies.