US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela have hit the 'great people' of the country and have a 'devastating number of deaths'. He added that the United States is willing to help its 'new and great friends' as early reports are not good.
"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 USA stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!" he said in a post on Truth Social.
Also read: Venezuela Earthquake: 2 back-to-back deadly quakes destroy buildings, up to 1 lakh death toll feared
Twin earthquakes in Venezuela jolted the capital Caracas causing buildings in the capital to crumble and forcing the closure of the country's main airport.
The first quake, with an epicenter 21 kilometers (13 miles) west of the coastal town of Moron, occurred at 2204 GMT, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, estimating the death toll to range from 10,000 to 100,000.
According to the USGS, the first earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck near San Felipe, about 284km (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT. It was followed almost immediately by a magnitude 7.5 quake near Yumare, about 293km (182 miles) west of the capital.
US mobilizing assistance after Venezuela earthquakes
The United States authorities said it was in touch with Venezuelan government following strong earthquakes and was mobilizing assistance for the same.
"We're in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance," Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on X. He said the earthquakes were "devastating."
Also read: Venezuela declares state of emergency after powerful twin quakes
Meanwhile, US State Department official Jeremy Lewin said that the department had mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to deliver and coordinate critical assistance to Venezuelans.
"Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster," he said in a post on X.
The US embassy in Caracas reported that all American personnel were accounted for.
The ties between the Washington and Venezuela have warmed in recent months after US forces seized the country's then-President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid on the capital in January.
Trump's administration has engaged with an interim government led by former Maduro ally Delcy Rodriguez, including on an agreement for the US to sell Venezuelan oil, and it has issued sanctions waivers to encourage American investment.
