U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the United States is launching what he described as a "big, fast, effective" humanitarian response to assist Venezuela following the twin powerful earthquakes that have killed at least 164 people, injured nearly 1,000 others and left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
"I had an opportunity to talk earlier this morning with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting President. We're already deploying search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles," said Rubio during a diplomatic trip to Bahrain & Kuwait. "The first priority is to rescue the people trapped."
"The second phase, of course, will be identifying their longer-term and acute needs," he told reporters in Bahrain.
"We'll have a better assessment of that after the next 48 hours when we are on the ground and as the Venezuelan authorities get more visibility regarding the level of damage in terms of housing."
Rubio also said the US will see what can be done to help Venezuela restore the internet and telecommunications.
SECRETARY RUBIO: "I had an opportunity to talk earlier this morning with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting President. We're already deploying search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles." pic.twitter.com/Ptvxg8u5ms
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 25, 2026
Rubio had announced the U.S. response in a statement on X, saying Washington is mobilizing emergency resources as rescue crews race against time to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
"Deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela," Rubio wrote. "The United States stands with the Venezuelan people. We are mobilizing a big, fast, effective response to support rescue and recovery efforts."
The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 25, 2026
Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those injured, and the courageous rescue workers working tirelessly in the aftermath.
America stands…
The State Department said the United States has activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and an interagency task force that will coordinate American aid with Venezuelan authorities. According to U.S. officials, the initial response will include urban search-and-rescue specialists, emergency medical teams, humanitarian relief supplies and technical experts to support rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said U.S. officials have already established communication with Venezuelan authorities to coordinate the delivery of assistance.
"We are in contact with Venezuelan officials to ensure U.S. assistance reaches those who need it as quickly as possible," Landau said, adding that all U.S. government personnel in Venezuela are safe.
Rubio's announcement came less than 24 hours after two massive earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela just 39 seconds apart. The earthquakes collapsed apartment buildings, damaged roads, hospitals and airports, and prompted authorities to declare a national state of emergency. Rescue workers continue searching through the rubble amid fears the death toll will rise.
President Donald Trump also pledged American support, saying the United States was prepared to help Venezuela recover from one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in decades.
"The early reports are not good," Trump said. "We are ready, willing and able to help our new and great friends in Venezuela in any way possible."
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!” - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/laeZ9nvTMf
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 25, 2026
Rubio did not specify the financial value of the aid package but indicated the immediate priority is saving lives through rapid deployment of emergency personnel and humanitarian assistance.
The U.S. response joins a growing international relief effort. The European Union, Spain, France, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, China and several international humanitarian organizations have also announced rescue teams, emergency funding or relief supplies for Venezuela. The United Nations has urged authorities to facilitate humanitarian operations and ensure the free flow of information during the emergency.
The earthquakes are among the strongest ever recorded in modern Venezuelan history and have left thousands homeless. As aftershocks continue, rescue crews remain focused on locating survivors while families across the country search for missing loved ones, many using social media despite ongoing internet restrictions that have complicated the flow of emergency information.
