SouthernWorldwide.com – The U.S. State Department has announced that the Venezuelan government is cooperating fully with relief efforts following recent earthquakes, a development that comes just months after the arrest of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
The Trump administration stated that it has received complete support from the Venezuelan government for humanitarian initiatives. This cooperation is noteworthy given the political upheaval that followed Maduro’s removal.
Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the northern regions of Venezuela last week. In response, the American government provided assistance, a move that has reportedly been well-received by both the Venezuelan government and its citizens.
The death toll from these devastating natural disasters has tragically surpassed 2,000 and is expected to continue rising.
An official involved in the relief efforts commented, “Every request we have made has been immediately granted and in turn, we have seen an incredible outpouring of support from the Venezuelan people towards Americans on the ground.”
This humanitarian cooperation is occurring in the context of a significant political shift. On January 3rd, U.S. special forces apprehended Nicolás Maduro in a nighttime operation. He was subsequently brought to the United States and is currently detained, awaiting trial on charges including narco-terrorism and firearms offenses.
Maduro’s arrest, described as a removal of a “brutal socialist authoritarian,” drew varied reactions, particularly from the progressive political left.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voiced concerns about potential violations of international law. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) characterized the U.S. actions as those of a “rogue state,” tweeting, “Trump’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are grave violations of international law and the U.S. Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state.”
Tlaib further added, “The American people do not want another regime change war abroad.”
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also questioned the legal basis for the action, stating, “Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable.”
Despite these criticisms, the Trump administration has been actively involved in providing aid to Venezuela. This includes the mobilization of $150 million in humanitarian relief supplies.
A Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has been deployed, comprising over 250 individuals, including three specialized Urban Search-and-Rescue (USAR) teams. The administration asserts that these teams have been instrumental in performing critical life-saving measures in the earthquake-affected areas.
The U.S. military has also lent its support to the logistical aspects of the relief operations.
Following Maduro’s apprehension, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president.
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have since been re-established. However, U.S. officials have emphasized that this cooperation is temporary and that they do not recognize Rodríguez’s interim presidency as a permanent solution for the country’s leadership.
