Members of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department's international urban search and rescue team (USA-2) prepare to leave for Venezuela, in Pacoima, California on June 25, 2026. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department's international urban search and rescue team (USA-2) will departs in response to the Venezuela earthquakes. 71 crew members alongside 6 dogs will be sent to Venezuela to aid in search and rescue efforts. The United States said Thursday it was mobilizing $150 million in aid for Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 188 people and left hundreds injured, as rescuers around the world raced to provide help. (Credit: Photo by Blake Fagan / AFP via Getty Images)
The State Department on Friday laid out how the United States intends to run its earthquake relief mission in Venezuela, pledging relief funds and and dispatching elite rescuers, Navy vessels, military transport planes and even starlink satellite internet into a country Washington's special forces raided barely five months ago.
The plan, detailed by the State Department, names the agency as the lead coordinator for a government-wide effort. Officials said an interagency coordination cell was activated, backed by a dedicated Venezuela Earthquakes Response Task Force stood up within hours of the disaster to gauge needs, line up partners and assist Americans caught in the affected zones.
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