The Trump administration is sending U.S. emergency response teams to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country Wednesday.

“Weʼre already deploying search and rescue teams from Fairfax County [Virginia] and Los Angeles,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Thursday. “Their most immediate need right now is search and rescue efforts.”

“There will be some others we’ll add,” Rubio said. “They have [many] collapsed buildings. And so they’ll need a lot of help in terms of digging through that.”

The State Department said the U.S. is providing airlift, logistics and coordination support to deliver personnel and lifesaving supplies to affected areas. It also said $150 million in humanitarian assistance has been set aside for Venezuela.

NEW: The State Dept. announces the U.S. is mobilizing $150 million in assistance to Venezuela.

Earlier today @SecRubio said the U.S. is deploying search and rescue teams from Fairfax County and Los Angeles, “you’ve got to get people out of that rubble within 48 hours or they… pic.twitter.com/ibJEGkE6uC

— Marisela Ramirez (@mariselapenny) June 25, 2026

Two powerful earthquakes struck near Venezuela’s coast on Wednesday, killing more than 180 people. According to reports, the first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2 and was centered near San Felipe, west of Caracas. A second magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck shortly afterward.

The U.S. Southern Command (SOCOM) said Thursday it has mobilized airlift and search-and-rescue forces to support rescue and relief operations in Venezuela.

“Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the government of Venezuela during this crisis,” SOCOM said in a post on X.

In a separate statement, SOCOM said the deployment includes the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale, the littoral combat ship USS Billings, C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, as well as reconnaissance and rotary-wing aircraft.

“These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance,” USSOCOM said. 

The command also said it will continue working closely with Venezuelan authorities to support rescue and relief operations across the affected areas.

The mobilization of U.S. military assets and personnel comes at the direction of President Donald Trump, who described Venezuela as a “new and great” friend.

“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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday. “I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”

The U.S. response comes months after relations between Washington and Caracas shifted dramatically following a U.S. military operation in January 2026 that captured then-President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The two were taken to New York to face U.S. narco-terrorism charges.

Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president under Maduro, now serves as Venezuela’s interim president.