Mexico City — Mexico has dispatched 250 military rescue personnel and five dogs to Venezuela to assist in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that struck the country this week, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday.
Speaking at her morning press conference, Sheinbaum said the deployment responds to a request from the Venezuelan government for specialized assistance in search-and-rescue operations in collapsed structures and medical support for affected communities.
The president highlighted the Mexican teams’ experience in disaster scenarios, particularly urban rescue, where they have earned international recognition for rapid response and coordination in high-risk zones.
The initial deployment includes specialized military personnel, with the possibility of reinforcements depending on the evolution of the emergency, the government said. Authorities emphasized that the priority is saving lives and supporting the hardest-hit areas.
The aid package includes:
- 250 military personnel
- 5 search dogs
- 4 aircraft
- 1 drone
- Search-and-rescue tools
- Medical equipment and supplies
Mexico has decades of experience in natural disaster response, including earthquakes and hurricanes, and has participated in previous international humanitarian missions. Officials are also evaluating the possible involvement of civilian brigades such as “Los Topos,” which emerged after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and have become a symbol of the country’s rescue culture.
