US Southern Command assesses Maiquetía Airport's operational conditions for earthquake aid delivery

U.S. Southern Command Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard met with Venezuela's Chief of Defense Gen. Gustavo González López and other senior military officials to coordinate humanitarian assistance after devastating earthquakes struck the country on June 24. The meeting focused on evaluating the operational conditions of Simón Bolívar International Airport, the main gateway for international aid. The goal was to strengthen coordination for transferring emergency personnel, specialized equipment, and humanitarian supplies to affected areas.

According to a statement on X, Jarrard is the highest-ranking SOUTHCOM official deployed on the ground. He is working with Venezuelan authorities and other partners to plan, coordinate, and direct U.S. military support for the rapid transfer of response personnel, equipment, and aid to the disaster zones. This swift transfer is considered vital for saving lives.

The U.S. Southern Command indicated that both the Department of Defense and the Department of State are undertaking joint actions to support the emergency response. "The Department of Defense and the Department of State are working with our partners to help the Venezuelan people," the institution stated in its release. This collaboration is part of ongoing coordination efforts between the two countries to facilitate aid delivery and bolster response operations following the damage caused by the earthquakes.

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The Department of Defense and the Department of State are working with our partners to help the Venezuelan people.