US delivers heavy machinery to Venezuela for earthquake debris removal

The United States has provided Venezuela with twenty heavy machinery units to assist in clearing debris left by devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24. John Barrett, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Caracas, announced the delivery via social media, stating the tele-operated machines were provided in coordination with the U.S. company TFI Solutions.

Barrett emphasized that the machinery will enable the swift and safe removal of hundreds of thousands of tons of debris, particularly from areas that became inaccessible after the earthquakes. He added that these efforts are crucial for reconnecting communities and advancing the reconstruction of Venezuela.

Venezuelan Vice Minister for Europe and North America, Oliver Blanco, confirmed the donation, describing the equipment as "high-tech" and "on loan from the State Department." He stated that these machines will bolster ongoing efforts to clear earthquake remnants "with dignity, responsibility, and safety." Blanco noted that over 650 work fronts have been activated, involving 11,000 workers who have already removed approximately 500,000 tons of debris, about 25% of the total.

With the new equipment, Venezuela anticipates intensifying its efforts and accelerating the pace of recovery. The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, reportedly caused 6,438 fatalities in northern Venezuela. Official figures also indicate that 86,358 people received hospital treatment after the disaster. The World Bank estimates direct physical damages at $19.6 billion, warning that a slow reconstruction could impede Venezuela's economic recovery over the next decade.