US Personnel Arrive to Aid Venezuela Airport and Port After Devastating Earthquakes

(CNA Washington, 29th, Combined Reports) Following a severe earthquake in Venezuela, rescue efforts are urgently needed. The U.S. Southern Command announced today that U.S. military personnel are arriving in Venezuela to assist in repairing the damaged runway at the capital's airport to expand air traffic capacity. Additionally, the port of La Guaira will be reopened to allow supplies to be quickly delivered to disaster victims.

The Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was damaged by twin earthquakes. Although partial operations resumed yesterday, air traffic remains congested.

The U.S. Southern Command stated that approximately 100 Air Force personnel with expertise in airport management, along with related equipment, arrived today to help "expand flight traffic."

The statement indicated that about 130 U.S. Marines are expected to arrive in the heavily affected area of La Guaira port within 24 hours to assist in "opening the port so that much-needed supplies and equipment can be transported by sea to the most severely affected regions."

According to Agence France-Presse, the disaster has claimed a cumulative total of 1,450 lives, with tens of thousands still missing. Families anxiously search for survivors among the rubble.

The Southern Command reported that sailors and Marines from the warship USS Fort Lauderdale delivered supplies to La Guaira port via landing craft today.

The U.S. Department of State has dispatched a disaster response team of over 250 people, including three specialized search and rescue teams equipped with search dogs, to assist in finding survivors.

Last week, the United States announced a grant of $150 million to aid Venezuela. (Compiled by Ji Jin-ling) 1150629

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