President Trump Affirms US Readiness to Assist Venezuela's Earthquake Emergency Response

United States President Donald Trump stated he has ordered all US government agencies to be on standby to assist Venezuela, which was struck by major earthquakes. “Two large earthquakes that hit the people of Venezuela were on a massive scale and resulted in a large death toll. The US is always ready, willing, and able to help!” Trump said via the Truth Social platform on Wednesday evening. “I have instructed all of our government agencies to be ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friend,” he added. The Venezuelan government has officially declared a national state of emergency following the powerful earthquake shocks that hit the country, according to Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodriguez. “We are declaring a national state of emergency, as stipulated in our constitution,” Rodriguez said in a video address on Wednesday evening local time. She added that Venezuela’s main airport, Maiquetia, was forced to close completely due to severe damage. Furthermore, Rodriguez mentioned that at least 20 aftershocks have been recorded following the two main earthquakes. She also stated that a number of countries, including the United States, Panama, Qatar, Cuba, Nicaragua, Turkey, Jordan, Colombia, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico, immediately expressed their readiness to assist Venezuela. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on Wednesday. The earthquakes were centred 16 kilometres from the city of Moron and 24 kilometres from San Felipe.