The Trump administration activated a government-wide humanitarian response Thursday after back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, pledging $150 million in aid and directing U.S. Navy warships to the disaster zone. The rare seismic "doublet," centered roughly 120 miles west of Caracas, killed at least 235 people, injured more than 940, and forced the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport, turning the state of La Guaira into what officials described as a disaster zone.
The Aid Package: Structure and Delivery
The State Department's $150 million commitment is split across two tracks. The first — $50 million in new bilateral awards — flows directly to relief partners already operating on the ground, including Samaritan's Purse, Catholic Relief Services, and World Vision. The remaining $100 million goes into a United Nations humanitarian pooled fund, a mechanism designed to give multilateral responders flexible capital for rapid deployment.
Alongside the financial commitment, the State Department deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team to coordinate field operations, backed by two specialized urban search-and-rescue units drawn from fire departments in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California.
Naval Surge: USS Fort Lauderdale and USS Billings
U.S. Southern Command is surging military assets into the region under the State Department-led operation. SOUTHCOM directed the USS Fort Lauderdale to serve as a floating command center — equipped with a flight deck capable of supporting heavy-lift helicopters and a well deck for launching landing craft. The USS Billings, described as more agile, will work close to the shorelines to accelerate rescue missions.
SOUTHCOM is also deploying rotary-wing aircraft to provide airlift support for U.S. government response personnel, search-and-rescue teams, and partner organizations. The military posture puts significant logistics capability within reach of a coastline that road damage and an inoperative international airport have otherwise made difficult to access.
Consular Operations and Citizen Safety
The State Department underscored that protecting U.S. citizens in Venezuela remains the administration's top priority. Officials are providing consular assistance to Americans in affected areas and urged any U.S. nationals in Venezuela to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Around-the-clock emergency assistance is available at 202-501-4444; family members in the U.S. seeking information on relatives can reach a toll-free line at 888-407-4747.
The speed and scale of the mobilization — naval assets, specialized rescue teams, and a nine-figure aid commitment announced within 24 hours of the earthquakes — signals a deliberate attempt by the administration to assert a leading role in the regional response.