The United States deployed multiple urban search and rescue teams to Venezuela after twin earthquakes struck Caracas and nearby cities on Wednesday evening, killing more than 900 people and injuring over 3,300. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez thanked international partners as operations intensified across the capital and surrounding areas. Last updated: 27 June 2026.
The scale of the disaster prompted a swift international response focused on life-saving operations within the critical 72-hour window. The death toll was expected to rise as teams reached collapsed structures and unstable buildings, while medical support and temporary feeding services expanded to meet immediate needs.
Integrated U.S. deployment: Florida, Virginia, California
The State Department activated a third urban search and rescue team to reinforce recovery efforts, adding to units already on the ground. Florida Task Force 1 and 2, with 80 personnel and six canine teams, provided immediate assistance in survivor detection, extrication and medical stabilization. Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins said, “Every single person that lives in Miami knows someone, a friend or family member, that is in Venezuela.”
A Virginia contingent of firefighters, doctors and structural engineers landed on Friday to expand operations in hard-hit sectors. From the West Coast, the Los Angeles County Firefighters International USAR team deployed 71 experts, six K-9 teams and 84,000 pounds of critical equipment. LA County Fire Captain Aaron Katon said, “We’re really going in expecting the unexpected, but ready to do the job that we do every day.”
Team composition and core objectives
The deployed units combined firefighters, doctors, design engineers dog handlers and logistics specialists to cover complex mission sets. Firefighters managed technical rescues and hazard mitigation, while medical teams delivered triage and trauma care near collapse zones. Design engineers assessed structural integrity to guide safe access and prevent secondary failures during operations.
Canine teams accelerated searches across large debris fields, leveraging scent detection to pinpoint survivable voids. The mission prioritized locating and extracting trapped individuals, providing immediate medical aid and stabilizing compromised infrastructure. This integrated approach enabled simultaneous life-saving work and rapid safety evaluations of buildings and public facilities.
Casualties, timeline and on-the-ground priorities in Caracas
The earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction across Caracas and nearby cities. Authorities signaled that the 72-hour mark from the initial shocks would clarify the scale of fatalities and survivals, as rescuers reached previously inaccessible sites. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited quake-damaged areas on Friday, 26 June 2026, to oversee operations and coordinate resource surges.
Faith-based groups, including Operation Blessing and Mercy Chefs, supported feeding teams to sustain both responders and displaced residents. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed support, including rescue workers, specialist equipment and humanitarian aid. The combined international presence aimed to stabilize critical services while enabling Venezuela’s authorities to expand shelter, medical support and damage assessments across the metropolitan area.
