The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has officially concluded its military support mission in Venezuela following last month's devastating twin earthquakes, ending one of the largest U.S. humanitarian deployments in the region in recent years. While American troops are leaving, aid organizations warn that the humanitarian emergency is far from over.
Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, announced that the last U.S. military personnel assigned to the disaster response have departed Venezuela after completing search-and-rescue, logistics and humanitarian support operations. The withdrawal marks the end of the military phase of the U.S. government's earthquake response, which was carried out under the direction of the State Department.
